UC-NRLF 


SB 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


GIFT  OF 

Paul  Scharrenberg 


Great    Americans    ot    History 


DANIEL    WEBSTER 

A  CHARACTER  SKETCH 


BY 

ELIZABETH  AGREED,   A.M.,   L.H.D. 


WITH     SUPPLEMENTARY     ESSAY,     BY 

G.      MERCER     ADAM 

Late  Editor  of  "Self-Culture"  Magazine,  Etc.,  Etc. 


TOGETHER     WITH 

ANECDOTES,    CHARACTERISTICS,    AN  I?    CHRONOLOGY. 


UNION  SCHOOL  FURNISHING  COMPANY, 
CHICAGO. 


GREAT  AMERICANS  OF  HISTORY  SERIES. 


THOMAS  JKFFKRSON,  by  Edward  S. 
Ellis,  A.  M.,  Author  of  "The 
People's  Standard  History  of  the 
United  States,"  etc.  With  Sup 
plementary  Essay  by  G.  Mercer 
Adam.  Late  Editor  of  "Self-Cult 
ure"  Magazine,  with  an  Account 
of  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  to 
gether  with  Anecdotes,  Charac 
teristics,  Chronology,  and  Say 
ings. 

JAMES  OTIS,  by  John  Clark  Rid- 
path,  LL.  D.,  Author  of  "Kid- 
path's  History  of  the  United 
States,"  etc.  With  Supplemen 
tary  Essay  by  (J.  Mercer  Adam. 
Late  Editor  of  'Self-Culture'1 
Magazine;  together  with  Anec 
dotes,  Characteristics,  and  Chro 
nology. 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  by  JohnR.  Mustek, 
Author  of  "The  Columbian  His 
torical  Novels."  etc.  With  Sup 
plementary  Essay  by  G.  Mercer 
Adam,  Late  Editor  of  "Self-Cul 
ture"  Magazine;  together  with 
Anecdotes,  Characteristics,  and 
Chronology 

SAMUEL  ADAMS,  by  Samuel  Fallows, 
1).  D.,  LL.  D.,  Ex-Supt.  of  Pub 
lic  Instruction  of  Wisconsin; 
Ex-Pres.  Illinois  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versitv.  With  Supplementary 
Essay  "by  G.  Mercer  Adam,  Late 
Editor  of  "Self-Culture"  Maga 
zine;  together  with  Anecdotes, 
Characteristics, and  Chronology. 

BENJAMIN  FKANKLIN,  by  Frank 
Strong,  Ph.  D..  Lecturer  on 
United  States  History,  Yale  Uni 
versity.  New  Haven,  Conn.  With 
Supplemental  Essay  by  G.  Mercer 
Adam,  Late  Editor  of  "  Self-Cul 
ture"  Magazine,  etc.,  and  a 
Character  Study  by  Prof.  Charles 
K.  Edmunds.  Ph.  D.  ,of  Johns  Hop 
kins  University,  together  with 
Anecdotes,  Characteristics,  and 
Chronology. 

JOHN  ADAMS,  by  Samuel  Willard. 
LL.  D.,  Author  of  ''Synopsis  of 
History."  etc.  With  Supplemen 
tary  Essay  by  G.  Mercer  Adam, 
Late  Editor  of  "Self-Culture" 
Magazine;  together  with  Anec 
dotes,  Characteristics,  and  Chro 
nology. 

$1.00  per  Volume. 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON,  by  Edward 
8.  Ellis,  A.  M.,  Author  of  "The 
People's  Standard  History  of  the 
United  States."  etc.  With  Sup 
plementary  Essay  by  G.  Mercer 
Adam,  Late  Editor  of  "Self-Cul 
ture"  Magazine,  etc.;  together 
with  Anecodotes,  Characteris 
tics,  and  Chronology. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  by  Eugene 
Parsons,  Ph.  D.,  Lecturer  on 
American  History,  etc.  With 
Supplementary  Essay  by  G. Mer 
cer  Adam,  Late  Editor  of  "Self- 
Culture"  Magazine;  and  an  Ar 
ticle  by  Prof.  Henry  Wade 
Rogers,  LL.  D.,  of  Yale  Univer 
sity;  together  with  Anecdotes, 
Characteristics,and  Chronology. 

JOHN  RANDOLPH,  by  Richard  Heath 
Dabney,  M.  A..  Ph.  D.,  Professor 
of  History,  University  of  Vir 
ginia.  With  Supplementary 
Essay  by  G.  Mercer  Adam,  Late 
Editor  of  "Self  Culture"  Maga 
zine;  together  with  Ancedotes, 
Characteristics,  and  Chronology. 

DANIEL  WEBSTKR,  by  Elizabeth  A. 
Reed,  A.  M.,  L.  H.  D.,  Ex-Pres. 
Illinois  Woman's  Press  Associa 
tion.  With  Supplementary  Es 
say  by  G.  Mercer  Adam.  Late  Edi 
tor  of  "Self-Culture''  Magazine; 
together  with  Anecdotes,  Char 
acteristics,  and  Chronology. 

HKNRY  CLAY,  by  H.  W.  Caldwell, 
A.  M  ,  Pti.  B.,  Professor  of  Ameri 
can  History,  University  of  Ne 
braska.  With  Supplementary 
Essay  by  G.  Mercer  Adam.  Late 
Editor  of  "Self-Culture"  Maga 
zine;  together  with  Ancedotes. 
Characteristics,  and  Chronology. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN,  by  Robert  Dick 
inson  Sheppard,  D.  D.,  Professor 
of  American  and  English  His 
tory,  Northwestern  University. 
With  Supplementary  Essay  by  G. 
Mercer  Adam,  Late  Editor  of 
'•Self-Culture''  Magazine,  etc., 
also  Suggestions  from  the  Life 
ot  Lincoln  by  Prof.  Francis  W. 
Shepardson,  Ph  D.,  of  the  Uni 
versity  of  Chicago.  Together 
with  Anecdotes,  Characteristics, 
and  Chronology. 

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GREAT   AMERICANS'    PUBLISHING  CO., 
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Copyright,  1898, 
By    THE    UNIVERSITY    ASSOCIATION 

Copyright,  1903, 
By    H.    G.    CAMPBELL    PUBLISHING    CO 

EDUC.- 
PSYCH. 
LIBRARY 


GIFT 


IT  has  been  well  said,  that  in  order  to  make  a  great 
man  or  woman,  we  must  begin  with  the  preceding 
generations,  and  Daniel  Webster  came  of  wonderfully 
good  stock. 

Among  the  Puritans  who  settled  in  New  Hampshire 
about  the  year  1636  was  a  man  who  bore  the  name  of 
Thomas  Webster.  He  was  said  to  be  of  Scotch  extract 
ion,  but  he  was  a  Puritan  of  the  English  race,  and  his 
wife  was  a  notable  woman  in  her  generation.  Her  maid 
en  name  was  Susannah  Batchelder,  and  her  striking  fig 
ure,  powerful  mentality  and  wonderful  dark  eyes,  com 
manded  the  admiration  of  her  neighbors  and  friends.  It 
is  thought-  that  it  was  from  her,  that  the  distinguished 
grandson  inherited  a  goodly  proportion  of  his  taste  for 
literature,  and  a  certain  energy  of  mind  for  which  the 
grandmother  was  noted. 

Thomas  Webster  and  his  wife  had  several  children  who 
afterward  scattered  through  various  parts  of  the  new 
state,  where  they  earned  a  somewhat  precarious  living 
amidst  the  founding  of  new  settlements,  and  among  In 
dians  who  were  often  hostile. 


049. 


6  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

In  Kingston  in  1793  there  was  born  to  this  family  a 
son  who  was  named  Ebenezer.  His  boyhood  was  spent 
in  manual  labor,  but  with  a  naturally  strong  intellect, he 
managed  also  to  pick  up  a  little  education  even  amidst 
his  unfavorable  surroundings. 

He  came  of  age  during  the  French  war  and  enlisted 
about  1760  in  the  famous  corps  which  was  known  as 
"Roger's  Rangers."  In  their  desperate  encounters  with 
Indians  and  Frenchmen  on  the  frontier,  the  rangers  had 
their  full  share  of  hardship  and  danger,  and  young  Web 
ster,  strong  in  body,  and  brave  by  nature,  won  the  re 
spect  of  his  comrades  in  many  a  hard  fought  battle. 

When  the  war  closed,  the  young  soldier,  true  to  his 
pioneer  instincts,  built  a  log  house  in  the  northern  part 
of  Salisbury,  (now  Franklin)  and  here  he  brought  his 
young  wife,  and  began  the  life  of  a  pioneer  farmer,  about 
the  year  1763.  At  that  time  there  was  no  civilization 
between  him  and  the  far  away  French  settlements  in  Can 
ada.  The  primeval  woods  stretched  away  from  his  very 
door,  in  an  unbroken  forest  which  was  the  home  of  dan 
gerous  \vild  animals,  and  the  lurking  place  of  treacherous 
bands  of  savages. 

He  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  the  New  England  race 
— a  fit  representative  of  ancestors,  who  for  generations 
had  been  yoemen  and  pioneers.  Like  his  mother,  he  was 
tall  and  large,  with  dark  hair  and  eyes.  Daniel  used  to 
say  that  his  father  was  the  handsomest  man  he  ever  saw 
except  his  brother  Ezekiel.  Having  only  the  little  edu 
cation  which  he  could  pick  up  himself,  under  adverse 
circumstances,  Ebenezer  Webster  was  compelled  to  fight 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  7 

the  battle  of  life  against  heavy  odds.  The  little  family 
struggled  on  in  the  wilderness  for  ten  years,  and  then  the 
wife  died,  leaving  five  children. 

Afterwards  Mr.  Webster  married  again,  the  second 
wife  being  Abigal  Eastman,  a  young  woman  of  sturdy 
New  Hampshire  stock,  intelligent,  warm  hearted,  and 
faithful  —  a  noble  wife  and  mother,  who  also  bore  him 
five  children. 

When  the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out,  Ebenezer 
Webster  was  Captain  of  the  Salisbury  militia,  composed 
of  sturdy  and  intelligent  workingmen  like  himself.  The 
news  of  L/exington  and  Concord  went  through  the  country 
like  an  electric  thrill,  and  he  quickly  led  his  willing 
company,to  join  the  increasing  Continental  forces  at  Cam 
bridge.  This  company  was  added  to  the  minute  men, 
being  incorporated  in  the  militia,  but  serving  as  volun 
teers  without  pay. 

These  minute  men  were  genuine  patriots  who  having 
gathered  in  their  crops,  and  having  a  month  or  so  that 
they  could  spare,  used  to  give  their  services  to  the  coun 
try  until  it  was  time  to  dig  their  potatoes,  then  going 
home,  to  attend  to  their  work  and  families,  after  which 
they  would  hurry  away  again  to  the  camp  and  battle 
field. 

While  Captain  Webster  was  stationed  in  the  vicinity 
of  Boston,  he  was  selected  to  guard  with  his  company  the 
ca'mp  of  Washington  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and  it  was 
here  that  the  Commander-in-Chief  consulted  with  Web 
ster  concerning  the  faithfulness  of  his  section  of  the 
country. 


6  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

He  would  not  have  needed  to  ask  if  his  neighbors  were 
in  earnest,  if  he  had  seen  the  document,  which  Webster 
had  himself  drawn  up  which  reads  as  follows: 

"We  do  most  solemnly  engage  and  promise,  that  we 
will,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  at  the  risk  of  our  lives 
and  fortunes,  with  arms, oppose  the  hostile  proceedings  of 


Boston  in  1774,  from  Dorchester  Heights. 
From  Lossing's  "Washington  and  the  American  Republic." 


the  British  fleets  and  armies  against  the  United  American 
Colonies." 

During  the  last  year  of  his  life,  Daniel  Webster  in 
speaking  of  the  signers  of  this  pledge  said:  "In  looking 
up  this  record,  connected  with  the  men  of  my  birthplace, 
I  was  glad  to  find  who  were  the  signers,  and  who  were 
the  dissenters.  Among  the  former  was  my  father,  with 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 


all  his  brothers,  and  the  whole  of  his  kith  and  kin.  This 
is  sufficient  emblazonry  for  my  arms,  enough  of  heraldry 
for  me." 

The  elder  Webster  served  bravely  and  faithfully 
through  the  war,takingpartin  the  battles  of  White  Plains 
and  Bennington  and  in  1780  was  posted  at  West  Point. 
This  was  shortly  be. 
fore  the  treason  of 
Arnold  and  when 
the  traitor's  designs 
were  revealed,  Wash 
ington  sent  for  Web 
ster  to  guard  his  tent 
again  on  that  night, 
saying,  "I  believe  I 
can  trust  you." 

The  fourth  child 
of  the  second  mar 
riage  was  a  little 
boy,  who  came  to  the  frontier  home  on  the  eighteenth 
day  of  January,  1782,  and  was  christened  Daniel.  The 
babe  was  delicate,  and  the  neighbors  used  to  tell  the 
mother  that  he  probably  would  not  live  long,  but  as  she 
gathered  the  little  thing  to  her  aching  heart,  she  nour 
ished  the  strong  constitution  which  was  somewhere  hid 
den  in  the  frail  body,  and  under  her  fostering  care,  the 
life  was  developed  which  meant  so  much  to  the  young 
nation. 

The  child  loved  nature  in  all  her  moods  and  tenses, 
and  she  was  a  kindly  mother, filling  his  little  lungs  with 


George  Washington. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

the  purest  and  best  of  air,  and  giving  generously  of  the 
magnetism  with  which  she  rewards  her  devotees.  He 
showed  little  taste  for  anything  except  play,  but  he  was 
taught  to  read  at  a  very  early  age  by  his  mother  and  sis 
ters,  as  was  the  New  England  custom,  and  while  still 
very  young  he  was  sent  to  the  primitive  schools,  where 
even  the  masters  knew  very  little  beyond  the  rudiments 
of  an  education.  But  after  a  time  his  mind  was  awak 
ened  to  a  thirst  for  knowledge,  and  he  quickly  memor 
ized  whatever  was  set  before  him.  The  father  was  a  fine 
reader,  and  his  sonorous  voice,  and  sympathetic  rendition 
of  the  reading  matter  which  was  available,  often  fur 
nished  a  treat  for  the  family  during  the  long  winter 
evenings.  He  drew  most  frequently  from  the  great  mine 
of  Biblical  literature,  and  it  is  largely  to  this  fact,  that 
the  son  was  indebted  for  the  grandeur  and  simplicity  of 
his  style. 

While  still  very  young  he  became  a  fine  reader  him 
self,  and  often  the  men  who  came  to  his  father's  mill 
would  hitch  their  horses,  and  say:  "Let's  go  in  and  hear 
little  Dan  read  a  psalm."  Or  perhaps  they  would  coax 
him  out  under  the  trees  while  they  waited,  and  he  would 
read  Biblical  extracts  to  them  with  all  the  force  of  his 
childish  eloquence. 

He  describes  this  period  of  his  life  in  the  following 
language:  "I  read  what  I  could  get  to  read,  went  to 
school  when  I  could,  and  when  not  at  school,  was  a  far 
mer's  youngest  boy,  not  good  for  much,  for  want  of 
health  and  strength,  but  expected  to  do  something." 
It  must  be  confessed  however  that  he  was  of  very  lit- 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  u 

tie  use  on  the  farm,  and  the  story  of  the  scythe  is  proba 
bly  a  true  one. 

It  is  said  that  one  day  while  mowing  by  his  father's 
side,  he  frequently  complained  that  his  scythe  uwas  not 
hung  right."  His  father  fixed  it  several  times  but  with 
out  producing  any  better  results,  when  at  last  he  told  the 
boy  to  uhang  the  scythe  to  suit  himself,"  whereupon  the 
young  farmer  hung  it  on  a  tree,  and  said,  "It  is  hung 
exactly  right  now."  It  is  said  that  the  father  laughed, 
and  allowed  it  to  remain  there. 

It  appears  that  Daniel  was  never  fond  of  physical 
effort,  and  one  day  when  the  father  left  home  he  gave 
the  two  boys,  directions  to  perform  some  specific  work 
which  he  found  untouched  on  his  return. 

With  a  frown  on  his  face  he  asked  the  elder  boy  what 
he  had  been  doing  all  day?  "Nothing,  sir,"  replied  the 
son. 

"Well  Daniel,  what  have  you  been  doing?" 

"Helping  Zeke,  sir,"  was  the  quick  reply. 

Ezekiel  was  very  fond  of  his  brother,  and  indeed  the 
whole  family  accorded  to  him  the  petting  and  the  privi 
leges  which  so  often  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  family  invalid. 

These  loving  methods  always  inculcate  the  spirit  of 
selfishness,  and  Daniel  accepted  all  the  favors  which 
were  showered  upon  him,  with  a  feeling  that  they  were 
his  due.  Still,  he  was  warm  hearted  and  he  at  least  re 
paid  the  family  sacrifices  with  affection. 

The  following  anecdote  illustrates  the  somewhat  sel 
fish  character  of  the  boy,  and  the  atmosphere  in  which 
it  was  developed. 


12  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

Ezekiel  and  Daniel  were  allowed  at  one  time  to  go  to 
a  fair  in  a  neighboring  town,  and  each  was  furnished 
with  a  little  money  from  the  slender  family  purse.  When 
the  boys  came  home,  Daniel  was  radiant  with  happiness, 
while  the  older  boy  was  very  quiet. 

The  mother  at  last  asked  Daniel  what  he  had  done 
with  his  money? 

"Spent  it,"  triumphantly  answered  the  boy. 

"And  what  did  you  do  with  yours,  Ezekiel?"  "Lent 
it  to  Daniel,"  was  the  subdued  reply. 

This  reckless  borrowing  of  money,  without  the  pros 
pect  of  any  ability  to  meet  his  obligations,  remained  a 
radical  fault  in  the  character  of  Webster  even  after  he 
attained  to  manhood.  A  book  that  he  wanted  was  such 
a  temptation,  that  he  would  borrow  the  money  of  any  one 
upon  whose  generosity  he  could  prevail,  and  sometimes 
it  was  years  before  payment  could  be  made. 

In  1791  the  sterling  qualities  of  Ebenezer  Webster 
procured  for  him  the  position  of  Judge  of  the  local  court, 
with  a  salary  of  three  or  four  hundred  dollars  a  year. 
This  was  a  great  accession  of  wealth  to  the  modest  fort 
unes  of  the  pioneer  family,  and  the  father  immediately 
began  to  think  of  the  education  of  his  children  -  a  favor 
ite  project  which  had  hitherto  seemed  impossible. 

In  New  England  families,  it  was  thought  to  be  a  good 
plan  to  educate  one  child  for  a  profession,  and  the  deli 
cate  physique  of  Daniel,  which  seemed  to  forbid  manual 
labor,  was  one  reason  perhaps,  why  the  choice  fell  upon 
him.  When  the  father  told  the  boy  of  his  purpose,  and 
in  a  manly  way  expressed  his  regret  that  such  privileges 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  13 

had  been  denied  to  himself,  the  pathos  of  the  situation 
was  so  great  that  Daniel  never  forgot  it. 

About  1793  the  boy  was  taken  to  Exeter  Academy 
where  he  first  came  into  contact  with  the  world.  The 
sensitive  lad  keenly  felt  the  ridicule,  which  was  freely 
bestowed  upon  his  rustic  dress  and  country  ways.  The 
freedom  with  which  he  had  entertained  his  father's  kind 
ly  neighbors,  was  lost,  and  he,  who  was  afterwarcj  the 
great  American  orator,  found  it  impossible  to  st%nd  up 
and  deliver  a  memorized  oration  before  these  ill-mannered 
youths.  Still  he  made  real  progress,  and  with  the  later 
aid  of  a  private  tutor,  he  managed  to  enter  Dartmouth 
College  in  August  of  1797. 

He  was  not  very  well  prepared  for  his  collegiate  work, 
and  in  truth  he  never  could  correctly  be  called  a  scholar. 
He  was  passionately  fond  of  reading  and  having  a  won 
derful  memory,  he  could  make  his  own  whatever  ne 
might  choose.  He  said,  soon  after  he  left  college  that 
he  was  credited  with  more  scholarship  than  he  deserved, 
because  of  his  ability  to  tell  all  that  he  did  know,  to  the 
best  advantage,  and  also  that  he  was  careful  never  to  go 
beyond  his  depth. 

It  was  at  Dartmouth,  however,  that  he  successfully 
cultivated  the  gift  of  speech.  He  would  enter  the  debat 
ing  society,  and,  beginning  slowly,  would  soon  have  the 
youthful  audience  entirely  under  his  control.  The  fame 
of  this  unusual  eloquence  secured  for  him  an  invitation 
to  deliver  the  Fourth  of  July  Address  for  the  people  of 
Hanover  in  1800.  ]  n  this  address  he  sketched  rapidly 
the  principal  events  of  the  Revolution, and  eulogized  the 


Daniel  Webster. 
Prom  a  Daguerreotype  by  Brady. 


DANIEL    WEBSTER.       .  15 

new  Constitution.  Compared  with  his  later  efforts,  of 
course  it  was  boyish  enough,  but  the  sentiments  are 
honest  and  manly,  while  the  literary  work  was  certainly 
very  creditable  to  a  youth  of  eighteen.  In  his  early 
speeches  he  advocated  love  of  country,  fidelity  to  the 
Constitution  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  loyalty 
of  the  several  States  to  the  great  whole. 

Two  other  college  speeches  have  been  preserved,  the 
one  being  a  eulogy  on  a  class-mate,  and  the  other  an  ad 
dress  which  was  given  before  a  college  society,  and  these 
manifest  much  the  same  style,  and  method  of  work, which 
had  been  shown  in  the  first,  and  they  also  indicate  the 
taste  for  politics  which  was  afterward  so  fully  developed. 

Webster  was  graduated  from  Dartmouth  in  1801,  and, 
returning  to  his  native  township,  entered  the  law  office 
of  one  of  his  father's  friends. 

Here  he  read  some  law,  for  which  it  must  be  confessed 
he  had  little  taste,  and  a  great  deal  more  of  English  lit 
erature,  but  the  financial  question  was  pressing  the  Web 
ster  family,  and  before  a  year  was  gone,  he  became  a  teach 
er  in  the  little  town  of  Fryburg,  Maine. 

He  was  a  successful  teacher,  having  great  dignity  and 
affability.  His  influence  over  pupils  appears  to  have  been 
very  strong,  and  some  of  them,  even  in  old  age,  used  to 
tell  of  the  impressi ven ess  of  the  scene  when  the  sonorous 
tones  of  the  young  teacher's  voice  rang  out  in  the  morn 
ing  and  evening  prayers,  with  which  he  always  opened 
and  closed  his  school. 

Even  as  a  young  man  his  personal  appearance  was 
very  striking.  He  was  tall  and  slender,  with  black  hair, 


16  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

and  the  luminous  eyes  which  seemed  to  fairly  burn  be 
neath  the  heavy  brows.  His  head  was  massive  in  struct 
ure,  while  the  high,  dark  forehead,  and  rugged  features 
gave  an  appearance  of  mental  strength,  which  never 
failed  to  impress  even  a  careless  observer. 

The  wonderful  dark  eyes  were  inherited,  through  his 
maternal  grandmother,  from  a  talented  old  preacher  by 
the  name  of  Batchelder.  This  sturdy  character  belonged 
to  the  early  colonial  days  and  was  a  man  of  distinction 
and  devoted  service  among  the  pioneers. 

The  early  New  Knglanders  were  quick  to  recognize 
"the  Batchelder  eyes1'  which  were  found  in  the  Webster 
family,  and  were  also  inherited  by  Caleb  Gushing,  Na 
thaniel  Hawthorne,  John  G.  Whittier,  and  other  sterling 
characters  of  New  England  history. 

The  affection  between  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  and 
his  older  brother  had  always  been  very  strong,  and  it 
was  at  Daniel's  earnest  entreaty  that  the  self  sacrificing 
father  made  an  effort  to  give  Ezekiel  also,  a  college  edu 
cation.  Having  tasted  the  sweets  of  learning  himself, 
Daniel  was  anxious  that  his  brother  should  be  likewise 
favored. 

The  father  was  now  in  poor  health,  and  the  farm  was 
heavily  mortgaged.  The  older  son  was  the  main-stay  of 
the  family,  but  the  mother  pleaded  for  him,  as  mothers 
will,  and  showed  her  willingness  to  give  up  everything 
if  necessary  for  the  education  of  her  boys.  The  sisters 
too,  shared  willingly  in  the  prospective  privations,  and 
Ezekiel  began  his  studies,  entering  Dartmouth  the  same 
year  that  Daniel  was  graduated.  While  at  Fryburg. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  17 

Daniel  Webster,  the  schoolmaster,  was  learning  a  lesson 
which  was  a  wonderful  benefit  to  his  really  lovable 
nature. 

He  had  long  been  accustomed  to  receive  sacrifices  from 
other  members  of  the  family,  and  now  he  realized  that 
it  was  his  turn  to  give  some  practical  evidence  of  his 
affection.  Out  of  school  hours  he  did  clerical  work 
which  he  despised,  and  gave  every  dollar  which  he  could 
spare  to  the  loyal  brother,  who  had  so  long  ministered 
to  him. 

After  three  years  in  college,  Ezekiel  entered  the  school 
room,  teaching  in  Boston,  and  his  salary  was  sufficient, 
not  only  for  his  own  modest  needs,  but  it  enabled  Daniel 
to  continue  his  studies  in  this  home  of  New  England 
culture.  He  obtained  a  position  in  the  office  of  Chris 
topher  Gore,  an  eminent  member  of  the  Boston  bar,  who 
was  afterward  a  Governor  of  Massachusetts.  Like  Web 
ster  he  was  a  Federalist  in  politics,  and  it  was  upon  this 
basis  that  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States. 

This  was  a  wonderful  opportunity  for  the  young  law 
yer.  The  professional  friends  of  Mr.  Gore  were  among 
the  leaders  of  the  Massachusetts  bar,  and  the  association 
with  this  class  of  men  stimulated  Webster  to  his  best  ef 
forts. 

In  1 805  he  was  admitted  to  the  Boston  bar,  but  he  re 
turned  to  New  Hampshire  and  opened  an  office,  where 
he  might  be  near  his  father.  He  went  to  work  with  a 
will,  and  not  only  obtained  a  practice  which  brought 
him  a  modest  competence,  but  he  was  also  wanning  a 


i8  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

reputation  as  one  of  the  ablest  advocates  in  the  state. 

In  1806  the  faithful  father  died,  at  the  age  of  sixty-sev 
en,  and  Daniel  manfully  assumed  his  financial  obligations, 
waited  until  Ezekiel  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  then  plac 
ing  the  brother  in  his  own  office,  he  went  to  Portsmouth 
where,  in  1807,  he  made  his  home. 

Young  Webster  had  always  been  a  favorite  with  the 
ladies,  but  he  was  a  little  slow  about  forming  ;i  permanent 
attachment.  When  the  fine-looking  young  lawyer  ap 
peared  in  Portsmouth,  he  was  considered  a  great  acqui 
sition  to  society,  especially  as  his  fame  had  preceded  him. 
Older  men  were  not  slow  to  see  that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  promising  advocates  in  the  State,  and  the  girls  were 
interested  in  the  striking  personality  of  the  stranger. 

He  was  the  recipient  of  many  social  attentions,  and 
his  brilliant  conversational  powers  made  him  the  centre 
of  attraction  at  dinners  and  other  functions.  But  he  paid 
no  marked  attention  to  any  one  in  Portsmouth;  on  the 
contrary  he  slipped  away  from  his  new  friends  in  the 
spring  of  1808, and  went  to  Salisbury  where  he  found  his 
bride.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss  Grace  Fletcher  who 
was  the  daughter  of  a  minister.  He  had  first  seen  her 
at  church,  whither  she  had  gone  on  horseback  wearing  a 
closely  fitting  black  dress. 

Da1  iiel  said  at  the  time  that  she  ''looked  like  an  angel" 
and  he  prosecuted  his  suit  with  that  determination  which 
was  so  characteristic  of  the  man.  The  lady  in  the  case 
was  given  little  opportunity  to  see  other  suitors,  until  the 
promise  was  given,  and  he  was  surely  a  very  ardent  lov 
er.  When  his  powerful  mentality  and  warm-hearted 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  19 

gallantry  were  all  enlisted  in  his  own  cause,  he  was  irre- 
sistable  in  his  pertinacity. 

The  young  wife  appears  to  have  been  a  gracious  and 
lovely  woman,  refined  in  her  feelings  and  warmly  sym 
pathetic  with  the  great  work  of  her  husband. 

She  was  fully  capable  of  appreciating  him  both  Intel- 
lectually  and  morally,  and  he  made  a  most  affectionate 
husband.  Theirs  was  a  happy  home,  where  congenial 
spirits  found  a  source  of  strength  in  each  other,  and  the 
love-light  in  their  little  cottage  illumined  whatever  of 
sorrow,  the  world  held  for  them.  They  pushed  on  through 
life  with  hearts  so  warm  and  close  together,  that  they 
scarcely  felt  the  storms  without. 

Mr.  Webster  was  constantly  advancing  in  his  profes 
sion,  winning  a  greater  fame  and  a  more  profound  respect 
throughout  the  State,  and  being  social  in  his  dis 
position,  he  and  his  charming  wife  were  very  popular  in 
their  home  city.  Their  children  grew  up  around  them 
in  this  pleasant  atmosphere,  and  the  influence  of  the  Web 
ster  family  became  far  reaching  for  good  in  the  commun 
ity. 

During  these  years  of  happy  domestic  relations  he  was 
constantly  coming  forward  as  a  political  leader.  Like  his 
father  and  older  brother,  he  belonged  to  the  old  party  of 
Washington  and  Hamilton — being  radically  opposed  to 
the  doctrine  of  protection.  He  was  more  liberal  than 
most  of  the  Federalists  of  his  day;  he  could  not  endorse 
their  narrowness  and  bitterness,  and  in  later  years  his 
views  became  still  broader,  being  largely  influenced  by 
his  intense  national  feeling. 


20 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 


When  about  thirty  years  of  age  he  was  elected  as  a 
member  of  the  Thirteenth  Congress  where  he  took  his  seat 
in  May  of  1813.  Henry  Clay  was  then  the  Speaker  of 
the  House  while  upon  the  floor  were  many  men  who  af 
terward  attained  a  national  reputation.  A  few  months 
later  he  delivered  an  able  address  opposing  Madison  and 
the  draft  of  1814  which  included  minors.  On  this  occasion 

he  attacked  the  whole 
policy  and  the  conduct 
of  the  struggle  which  is 
called  "the  War  of  1812." 
The  following  extract 
gives  a  good  idea  of  this 
forcible  speech: 

"Give  up  your  futile 
projects  of  invasion.  Ex 
tinguish  the  fires  that 
blaze  on  your  inland  fron 
tier.  Establish  perfect 

safety  and  defence  there  by  adequate  force.  L/et 
every  man  who  sleeps  on  your  soil,  sleep  in  security. 
Stop  the  blood  that  flows  from  the  veins  of  unarmed 
yoemanry,  and  women  and  children.  Give  to  the  living 
time  to  bury,  and  to  lament  their  dead  in  the  quietness 
of  private  sorrow. 

"Having  performed  this  work  of  beneficence  and  mer 
cy  on  your  inland  border,  turn  and  look  with  the  eye  of 
compassion  and  justice  on  your  vast  population  along  the 
coast.  Unclench  the  iron  grasp  of  your  embargo.  Take 
measures  for  that  end  before  another  sun  sets.  .  If 


Henry  Clay. 

and     defence 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  21 

then  the  war  must  be  continued,  go  to  the  ocean. 
If  you  are  seriously  contending  for  maritime  rights,  go  to 
the  theatre  where  alone  those  rights  can  be  defended. 
Thither  every  indication  of  your  fortune  points  you. 
There  the  united  wishes  and  exertions  of  the  nation  will 
go  with  you.  Even  our  party  divisions,  acrimonious  as 
they  are,  cease  at  the  water's  edge." 

Events  soon  forced  the  administration  to  adopt  Web 
ster's  policy.  The  embargo  was  first  modified,  and  be 
fore  the  close  of  the  session,  a  bill  was  introduced  for  its 
repeal. 

Calhoun  was  Webster's  principal  antagonist  in  this 
matter,  and  many  brilliant  passages  occurred  on  the 
floor  of  the  House. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  service  which  Mr.  Web 
ster  rendered  to  the  country  during  this  Congress, was  his 
determined  and  successful  opposition  to  such  a  national 
bank  as  was  proposed  by  the  members  of  the  national 
war  .party.  This  was  a  three-sided  contest.  The  war 
party  wanted  a  bank  of  large  capital  with  no  obligation 
to  make  specie  payments,  but  obliged  to  make  heavy 
loans  to  the  government.  This  was  a  proposed  state  of 
things  which  involved  of  course  a  large  paper  currency 
not  redeemable  in  coin.  Another  class  of  men  represent 
ed  the  "Old  Republican"  doctrines  and  were  opposed  to 
any  bank  at  all.  The  third  party,  which  led  by  Web 
ster,  represented  the  views  of  Hamilton  and  the  Federa 
lists,  favoring  a  bank  with  a  reasonable  capital,  compelled 
to  pay  in  either  ^old  or  silver,  and  using  its  own  pleas 
ure  about  making  loans  to  the  government. 


22  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

A  bill  for  the  paper  money  bank  came  from  the  sen 
ate,  and  'Webster  threw  the  whole  force  of  his  argumen 
tative  powers  against  it.  He  took  his  position  as  the  foe 
of  irredeemable  paper  whether  in  war  or  peace — as  op 
posed  to  wild  and  unrestrained  banking  privileges  of  ev 
ery  character.  The  bill  was  defeated,  and  when  the  re 
sult  was  announced,  Calhoun  was  entirely  overwhelmed. 
It  is  claimed  that  he  came  to  Webster,  and  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  begged  him  to  aid  in  establishing  a  legitimate 
bank  for  the  good  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Webster  readily  consented,  the  vote  was  reconsid 
ered,  the  bill  recommitted  and  brought  back,  with  a  re 
duced  capital  and  freed  from  the  control  of  the  govern 
ment,  so  far  as  forced  loans  and  the  suspension  of  specie 
payments,  were  concerned.  This  bill  was  passed  by  a 
large  majority  which  was  led  by  the  Federalists. 

It  was  vetoed  by  the  President,  and  Webster  declared 
it  was  done  because  the  administration  was  not  in  favor 
of  a  sound  financial  system. 

Another  paper  money  scheme  was  introduced  and  the 
fight  began  over  again,  but  it  was  terminated  by  the  ter 
mination  of  the  war,  and  on  March  4th,  the  Thirteenth 
Congress  was  adjourned. 

Mr.  Webster  was  re-elected  to  the  Fourteenth  Congress 
and  this  was  a  somewhat  stormy  time  in  American  annals. 
There  were  too  many  "leaders,"  to  make  for  peace. 
Most  of  ,the  principal  men  of  the  old  Thirteenth  had  been 
returned  to  their  seats,  and  Henry  Clay  came  home  from 
Europe  to  resume  his  position.  Besides  these  there  was 
Pinkney  who  was  considered  among  the  foremost  mem- 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 


bers  of  the. American  bar,  and  there  was  John  Randolph 
with  real  talent  and  brilliancy,  but  with  eccentricities 
enough  to  nearly  balance  his  genius. 

Mr.  Webster  was  late  in  taking  his  seat  on  account  of 
the  severe  illness  of 
his  little  daughter 
Grace,  and  when  he 
arrived  he  found 
Congress  at  work  up 
on  another  paper 
money  scheme  very 
similar  to  the  one  he 
had  defeated. 

He  threw  himself 
at  once  into  the 
work,  and  showed  John  Randolph, 

that  the  currency  of  the  United  States  was  sound  because 
it  was  based  upon  gold  and  silver,  and  these  were  in  his 
opinion  the  only  constitutional  mediums.  In  reference  to 
to  the  proposed  national  bank,  he  repeated  the  strong  ar 
guments  which  he  had  previously  made  against  the  pow 
er  to  suspend  specie  payment.  The  opposition  of  Web 
ster  and  his  friends  resulted  in  removing  the  most 
obnoxious  features  of  the  bill,  but  he  voted  against  it  on 
its  final  passage. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  bank  bill,  Cal- 
houn  introduced  one  requiring  the  revenue  to  be  collect 
ed  in  lawfiil  money  of  the  United  States.  After  a  fierce 
debate  the  bill  was  lost.  Then  Webster  offered  resolutions 
requiring  all  government  dues  to  be  paid  in  coin,  treas- 


24  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ury  notes,  or  in  notes  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States. 

He  put  these  resolutions  forward  in  the  face  of  the  fact 
that  the  principal  which  they  involved  had  just  been  vo 
ted  down  and  with  one  powerful  speech,  he  actually  forced 
their  passage,  bringing  about  resumption.  This  was  a 
signal  victory,  and  after  the  bank  was  established  it  gave 
us  a  sound  currency  and  a  safe  medium  of  exchange 
based  upon  gold  and  silver  coin. 

During  the  excitement  of  debate  in  this  Congressjohn 
Randolph  more  than  once  forgot  the  claims  of  courtesy, 
and  once  during  the  time  he  challenged  Webster  to  mor 
tal  combat.  He  received  a  dignified  reply  in  which  Web 
ster  refused  to  admit  Randolph's  right  to  an  explanation, 
and  closed  by  saying  that  while  he  did  not  feel  bound  to 
risk  his  life  at  anyone's  bidding  he' 'should  always  be  pre 
pared  to  repel  in  a  suitable  manner,  the  aggression  of 
any  man  who  may  presume  on  this  refusal." 

Some  biographers  claim  that  this  was  the  only  chal 
lenge  which  Webster  ever  received,  but  the  truth  is  that 
in  1825  he  received  another,  and  this  was  also  from  the 
hand  of  Randolph.  The  secret  was  well  kept,  but  finally 
came  to  light  through  the  memorandum  of  Thomas  Ben- 
ton,  bearing  date  of  Feb.  20,  1825,  Benton  having  been 
the  bearer  of  the  challenge.  The  diary  of  John  Quincy 
Adams  also  explains  the  circumstances  from  which  the 
challenge  arose.  It  appears  that  Webster  made  a  state 
ment  which  Randolph  interpreted  as  reflecting  upon  his 
veracity,  and  on  his  return  from  Europe  he  wrote  the 
letter  to  Webster  which  reads  as  follows: 

"Sir,  I  learn  from  unquestionable  authority  that  during  my  late  ab- 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  25 

sence  from  the  United  States,  you  have  indulged  yourself  with  liberties 
with  my  name  (aspersing  my  veracity)  which  no  gentleman  can  take 
who  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  such  an  insult  from  one. 

My  friend,  Col.  Benton,  the  bearer  of  this,  will  arrange  the  terras 
of  the  meeting  to  which  you  are  hereby  invited. 

I  am  Sir, 
Your  Obedient  Servant, 

John  Randolph." 

Webster  replied  to  Benton  that  he  had  only  intended  to 
state  that  Mr.  Randolph  was  under  a  mistake  or  mis 
apprehension  in  relation  to  the  facts  of  the  case,  and  the 
matter  seems  to  have  ended  there.  Let  us  be  thankful 
that  foolishness  of  this  sort  belongs  only  to  the  past. 

On  March  4,1817,  the  Fourteenth  Congress  adjourned, 
and  then  Mr.  Webster  retired  to  private  life  in  order 
to  practice  law,  as  with  his  growing  family  he  needed  a 
larger  income  than  the  salary  of  a  congressman.  In 
Washington  he  had  been  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Su 
preme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  had  tried  a  few 
cases  before  that  august  tribunal. 

This  Supreme  Court  practice  led  to  his  removal  to  Bos 
ton  where  the  Webster  family  made  their  new  home,  and 
where  he  soon  built  up  a  practice  worth  about  twenty 
thousand  dollars  a  year. 

But  it  was  here  in  1817  that  they  lost  their  daughter 
Grace,  a  beautiful  child  who  seemed  to  inherit  her  fath 
er's  expression  of  face,  and  perhaps  a  portion  of  his  great 
talent.  It  was  a  terrible  blow  to  both  parents  when  the 
little  thing  died  in  her  father's  arms,  her  last  look  being 
given  with  a  loving  smile  to  him. 

During  his  two  terms  in  Congress  he  had  won   a  na- 


26  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

tional  reputation  as  a  powerful  advocate  of  whatever  meas 
ure  he  might  endorse.  He  had  gone  upon  record  as  a  rep 
resentative  of  the  New  England  Federalists,  who  although 
they  were  protectionists  in  theory,  had  so  far  modified 
the  old  doctrines  that  they  were  willing  to  submit  to  a 
moderate  tariff  when  protection  seemed  unavoidable. 

He  had  also  become  the  champion  of  payments  to  be 
made  in  either  gold  or  silver  coin,  and  while  he  had  not 
hesitated  to  oppose  the  administration  during  the  war,  he 
was  acknowledged  as  one  of  the  ablest  defenders  of  the 
Constitution  that  ever  stood  upon  the  floor  of  Congress. 
The  doctrines  of  secession  which  were  already  at  work 
found  in  him  an  opponent  whom  their  ablest  advocates 
did  not  care  to  attack. 

His  name  and  his  powerful  personality  were  recognized 
as  a  radical  American  product.  And  his  voice  was  al 
ways  ready  to  advocate  the  independence  and  nationality 
of  our  country.  The  integrity  and  perpetuity  of  the 
great  republic  was  a  theme  which  called  forth  his  grand 
est  efforts.  In  the  north  and  the  south,  in  the  east  and 
the  west,  his  influence  was  felt  as  the  champion  of  the 
Constitution  in  its  integrity,  and  of  the  coiintry  as  one 
grand  united  nation. 

One  of  the  most  brilliant  efforts  which  he  made  after 
taking  up  his  residence  in  Boston,  was  his  argument  in 
the  famous  Dartmouth  College  case, which  he  argued  with 
wonderful  power  before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States,  finally  winning  the  case  in  behalf  of  the  College. 
This  established  a  precedent  having  deep  and  far-reaching 
results.  It  brought  within  the  scope  of  the  Constitution 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  27 

of  the  United  States,  every  charter  granted  by  a  state, 
and  extended  the  jurisdiction  of  the  highest  federal  court, 
more  than  any  judgment  which  it  had  ever  rendered. 
His  conduct  of  this  case  raised  Mr.  Webster  to  a  position 
at  the  bar  which  was  second  only  to  that  which  was  held 
by  Pinkney,  and  he  was  constantly  employed  in  impor 
tant  and  lucrative  legal  work. 

Perhaps  the  finest  of  Webster's  anniversary  speeches, 
was  that  which  was  given  on  the  22nd  of  December  1820 
in  commemoration  of  the  landing  of  the  pilgrims  at 
Plymouth  Rock,  just  two  hundred  years  before.  It  was 
spoken  of  at  the  time  as  the  most  eloquent  address  which 
had  ever  been  delivered  upon  this  continent,  and  it  was 
given  when  the  orator  was  not  quite  thirty  eight  years 
of  age. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  the  third  century  in  the  his 
tory  of  New  England.  The  young  nation  had  passed 
successfully  through  the  throes  of  revolution,  as  well  as 
the  hardships  of  pioneers,  and  in  a  long  address  of  more 
than  twenty-four  thousand  words,  the  orator  eloquently 
depicted  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  new  country. 

He  was  now  the  most  conspicuous  man  in  New  Eng 
land  with  the  exception  perhaps  of  John  Quincy  Adams; 
there  was  therefore  a  strong  popular  current  in  favor  of 
his  return  to  public  life.  In  1822,  he  accepted,  with  ap 
parent  reluctance  the  nomination  to  Congress,  and  in  De 
cember  of  1823  he  again  took  his  seat  in  that  august  body, 
this  time  as  a  representative  of  the  people  of  Boston.  Mr. 
Clay  gave  a  public  recognition  of  his  importance  by 
placing  Webster  at  the  head  of  the  Judiciary  Committee 


28  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

of  the  House,  and  he  was  universally  regarded  as  the 
most  brilliant  man  on  the  floor. 

His  return  to  Congress  was  signalized  by  one  of  his 
great  speeches,  which  was  made  in  favor  of  his  own  reso 
lution  to  provide  by  la'w,  for  the  expenses  incident  to  the 
appointment  of  a  commissioner  to  Greece,  should  the 
President  approve  such  an  appointment. 

The  Greeks  were  then  in  the  throes  of  revolution,  and 
the  American  people  had  much  sympathy  for  them  in 
their  brave  struggle  for  liberty. 

This  speech  was  not  a  brilliant  classical  oration 
as  some  of  his  friends  seemed  to  expect,  but  it  was  an 
expression  of  his  own  grand  conception  of  the  true 
mission  of  the  American  Union.  His  object  was  to 
show  that  while  we  should  take  no  political  part  in  the 
affairs  of  Europe,  still  it  was  our  duty  as  well  as  our  priv 
ilege  to  exercise  an  enormous  influence  upon  the  public 
sentiment  of  the  whole  world.  The  national  destiny  of 
our  country  as  an  educator  among  the  nations,  was  his 
theme. 

The  orator  briefly  sketched  the  history  of  Greece,  and 
especially  the  brave  struggle  which  she  was  then  making 
against  Turkish  barbarity.  He  recounted  the  fact  that 
forty  thousand  women  and  children  who  were  unhappily 
saved  from  the  indiscriminate  massacre,  were  sold  into  a 
slavery  which  was  infinitely  worse.  He  eloquently 
pleaded  for  some  expression  of  practical  sympathy  for  the 
people  who  had  been  so  long,  and  so  cruelly  oppressed. 

Webster's  address  found  a  quick  response  in  the  heart 
of  Henry  Clay  who  sprang  to  his  feet  and  enthusiastical- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  29 

ly  supported  the  resolution,  which  he  supplemented  with 
another  against  the  interference  of  Spain  in  South  Amer 
ica. 

A  stormy  debate  followed,  with  Randolph  on  the  other 
side,  and  Webster  found  that  Calhoun  had  misled  him 
concerning  the  views  of  the  President,  in  relation  to  the 
proposed  Greek  mission.  This  combination  of  circum 
stances  destroyed  all  hope  of  a  practical  result,  but  the 
generous  sentiments  of  the  speech  were  widely  read.  Not 
only  was  the  address  circulated  among  the  English  speak 
ing  peoples,  but  it  was  translated  into  all  the  languages 
of  Europe.  In  Great  Britain  as  well  as  in  America,  it 
was  considered  the  ablest  speech  which  had  ever  been 
delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  address  which  was  given  on  June  17,  1825,  by 
Webster  at  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  the  Bunker 
Hill  monument  was  unique  as  well  as  eloquent.  Speech 
es  had  not  often  been  required  upon  such  occasions,  but 
the  forcible  utterance  of  the  great  American  orator,  made 
the  practice  almost  universal,  and  since  that  time  nearly 
all  corner  stones  are  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies. 

Fifty  years  after  that  memorable  battle  was  fought,  the 
corner  stone  of  the  monument  was  laid,  and  there  were 
thousands  effaces  glowing 'with  sympathy  which  greeted 
the  orator  on  that  occasion. 

There  are  many  masterpieces  among  Webster's  ora 
tions.  His  splendid  eulogy  upon  Adams  and  Jefferson, 
ranks  among  his  finest  productions.  This  was  given 
Aug.  2,  1826,  and  the  same  year  he  was  chosen  Senator. 
His  lecture  at  the  Mechanic's  Institute  in  Boston  at 


30  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

the  opening  of  the  course,  was  delivered  Nov.  12,  1828. 
This  was  a  valuable,  scientific  lecture,  and  it  gives  a  good 
idea  of  the  adaptability  of  the  great  orator  to  various 
themes.  His  tastes  were  largely  in  this  direction,  and  it 
will  be  remembered  that  when  he  was  graduated,  he  chose 
a  scientific  theme  for  his  address. 

The  year  of  1828  was  a  memorable  one  to  Webster, 
In  January  of  that  year  he  lost  his  beloved  wife,  and  this 
was  by  far  the  most  terrible  blow  which  had  ever  fallen 
upon  him.  She  had  been  a  comrade  and  confidential 
friend, as  well  as  a  devoted  wife.  She  was  the  love  of  his 
early  manhood  and  the  mother  of  his  children.  When 
he  followed  her  form  to  the  grave,  he  was  pale  and  list 
less  refusing  to  be  comforted.  But  the  imperative  call 
of  duty  was  a  help  to  him,  as  it  has  been  to  many  anoth 
er  sufferer,  and  he  found  in  hard  and  continuous  work, 
the  greatest  relief  which  can  come  to  a  troubled  heart, 
except  the  one  unfailing  comfort  of  the  Christian  hope. 

In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Ticknor,  Judge  Story  speaks  of  Web 
ster's  first  day  in  the  Senate  after  the  death  of  his  wife. 
4tThe  very  day  of  Mr.  Webster's  arrival"  writes  the  Judge, 
"there  was  a  process  bill  on  its  third  reading,  filled  as  he 
thought  with  inconvenient  and  mischievous  provisions. 
He  made,  in  a  modest  undertone,  some  inquiries,  and,  upon 
an  answer  being  given,  he  expressed  in  a  few  words  his 
doubts  and  fears. 

"Immediately,  Mr.  Tazewell  from  Virginia  broke  out 
upon  him  in  a  speech  of  two  hours.  Mr.  Webster  then 
moved  an  adjournment,  and  on  the  next  day  deliv 
ered  a  most  masterly  reply,  expounding  the  whole 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 


operation  of  the  intended  act  in  the  clearest  manner,  so 
that  a  re-comrnitment  was  carried  almost  without  an  ef 
fort.  It  was  a  triumph  of  the  most  gratifying  nature, 
and  taught  his  opponents  the  danger  of  provoking  a  trial 
of  his  strength, 
even  when  he  was 
overwhelmed  b  y 
calamity." 

Another  great 
effort  w'a  s  the 
speech  which  was 
given  on  the  tariff 
of  1828,  a  bill 
making  extensive 
changes  in  the 
rates  of  duties  im 
posed  in  1816  and 
1824. 

This  address 
marked  an  import 
ant  epoch  in  his 
political  career. 
He  now  yielded  his  place  as  the  ablest  advocate  in  tht, 
country  of  free  trade,  and  went  over  to  the  support  of 
the  u American  System"  as  it  was  advocated  by  Henry 
Clay. 

He  was  subjected  to  severe  criticism  for  so  doing,  but 
he  argued  that  it  was  merely  a  question  of  commerce,  and 
when  it  became  the  interest  of  New  England  to  advocate 
protection,  he  was  justified  in  standing  by  his  constitu- 


Joseph  Story,  LL.  D      Born  1779.     Died  1845. 


32  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

ents.  The  act  in  favor  of  the  tariff  was  passed  in  May,  1 828, 
and  soon  afterward  the  South  Carolina  delegation  held  a 
meeting  for  the  purpose  of  inaugurating  methods  to  re 
sist  its  operation.  There  were  popular  uprisings  in  South 
Carolina,  and  in  the  following  au 
tumn  there  issued  from  the  State 
Legislature  the  famous  "exposition 
and  protest,"  which  emanated  from 
Calhoun,  and  which  advocated  the 
principles  of  nullification  in  the 
strongest  terms.  President  Jackson 
was  then  inaugurated,  but  Calhoun 
and  his  state  never  lost  sight  of  their 

Andrew  Jackson.  .     .  j     .-,  •,  j 

point,  and  they  were  always  ready 

to  bring  it  to  the  front  whenever  there  was  an  opportu 
nity, 

In  1829  Daniel  Webster  met  with  another  severe  loss 
in  the  death  of  his  brother  Ezekiel.  This  was  a  life  long 
griet.  for  the  affection  between  them  had  been  stronger 
than  often  exists  between  brothers.  Another  change  in 
his  life  was  also  made  by  second  marriage,  the  bride  be 
ing  Miss  Leroy  of  New  York.  It  appears  that  he  lived 
amicably  with  her,  but  she  could  never  be  to  him,  the 
great  treasure  which  he  found  in  the  wife  of  his  youth. 

The  loss  of  his  brother,  and  this  second  marriage  seemed 
to  make  i  complete  break  in  his  life.  A  still  wider  fame 
lay  before  him,  but  there  were  political  scandals,  also 
which,  although  probably  unjustified,  still  had  more  or 
less  effect  upon  him.  During  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
there  were  many  bitter  attacks  upon  him,  and  some  of 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  33 

these  were  made  in  public.  On  January  19,  1830,  Gen 
eral  Hayne  of  South  Carolina  made  an  unwarranted  at 
tack  on  the  New  England  states,  accusing  them  of  an 
effort  to  prevent  the  development  of  the  west  by  means 
of  the  protective  policy,  and  invited  a  movement  to  in 
duce  the  west  and  the  south  to  make  common  cause 
against  the  tariff. 

Webster  felt  that  such  a  speech  could  not  pass  unno 
ticed,  and  the  next  day,  he  replied  to  it,  showing  the 
groundlessness  of  the  attack,  and  tearing  Hayne' s  elab 
orate  argument  to  pieces. 

Humiliated  and  angry,  Hayne  insisted  on  the  presence 
of  Mr.  Webster  in  the  Senate  the  next  day.  He  then 
made  a  bitter  attack,  not  only  upon  New  England,  but 
especially  upon  Massachusetts,  and  even  upon  Webster 
personally.  Leaving  the  question  of  the  tariff,  almost 
entirely,  he  made  a  strong  secession  speech,  and  boldly 
planted  the  standard  of  nulification  in  the  very  Senate  of 
the  United  States. 

It  was  a  masterly  effort,and  many  of  Webster's  friends, 
struck  with  the  brilliancy  and  real  ability  of  Hayne,  be 
gan  to  enquire  of  each  other  "Can  Webster  answer  that?" 

Mrs.  Webster  was  present  at  the  Capitol,  and  was  great 
ly  agitated  by  the  fire  and  force  of  the  hero  of  South  Car 
olina.  She  rode  home  with  a  friend  in  advance  of  her 
husband,  and  waited  anxiously  for  him. 

At  last  he  came  tramping  up  to  the  door  with  a  heavy 
tread,  and  the  wife  rushing  into  the  hall,  with  tears  in 
her  eyes,  anxiously  enquired,  "Can  you — can  you  answer 
Mr.  Havne?" 


34  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

With  a  sort  of  a  roar  the  great  Northern  Lion  turned 
upon  his  heel  with  the  words:  "Answer  him!  I'll  g-r-i-n-d 
him  to  powder." 

The  next  day,  just  as  he  was  going  into  the  Senate 
chamber,  Mr.  Bell  of  New  Hampshire  said  to  him,  "It 
is  a  critical  moment  and  it  is  time,  it  is  high  time,  that 
the  people  of  this  country  should  know  what  this  Consti 
tution  is." 

"Then"  answered  Webster,  "by  the  blessing  of  heaven, 
they  shall  learn  this  day,  before  the  sun  goes  down,  what 
I  understand  it  to  be." 

In  due  time  the  Websterian  thunder  rolled  through  the 
arches  of  the  Capitol,  and  the  process  of  grinding  Gener 
al  Hayne,  was  commenced  in  good  earnest. 

Webster  began  his  immortal  reply  by  bringing  his  op 
ponent  back  to  the  subject  which  was  under  discussion, 
and  calling  for  the  reading  of  the  resolution  in  relation  to 
the  proposed  instruction  of  the  committee  on  public  lands. 
He  then  said: 

"We  have  thus  heard,  sir,  what  the  resolution  is, which 
is  actually  before  us  for  consideration;  and  it  will  readily 
occur  to  every  one,  that  it  is  almost  the  only  subject, 
about  which  something  has  not  been  said,  in  the  speech 
running  through  two  days,  by  which  the  Senate  has 
now  been  entertained  by  the  gentleman  from  South 
Carolina 

"Every  topic  in  the  wide  range  of  our  public  affairs, 
whether  past  or  present — everything,  general  or  local, 
whether  belonging  to  national  politics,  or  party  politics 
— seems  to  have  attracted  more  or  less  of  the  honorable 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  35 

gentleman's  attention,  save  only,  the  resolution  before  the 
Senate." 

He  then  followed  Hayne  over  the  most  important 
points  upon  which  he  had  touched.  In  relation  to  the 
extension  of  slavery,  he  argued  that  he  had  never  made 
any  attack  on  the  institution  in  itself,  for  although  be 
lieving  it  to  be  wrong,  and  being  decidedly  opposed  to  its 
extension,  he  still  believed  that  slavery  within  their  bor 
ders  was  a  question  which  should  be  decided  by  the 
southern  people  themselves. 

This  address  was  the  crowning  point  of  a  long  and 
successful  public  career.  On  the  morning  of  the  mem 
orable  day,  the  Senate  chamber  was  packed  to  its  utmost 
capacity  on  floor  and  galleries,  all  available  standing 
room  being  filled. 

In  the  hush  of  expectation  the  champion  of  the  Consti 
tution  arose  to  his  feet,  and  his  splendid  personality  at 
once  thrilled  the  hearts  of  the  listeners. 

His  commanding  figure,  massive  head,  and  dome  like 
forehead,  his  strong  features  and  deep  magnetic  eyes,  had 
their  full  effect  even  while  he  spoke  in  low  measured 
tones.  But  when  he  arose  to  the  full  appreciation  of  the 
situation — when  his  reasoning,  his  sarcasm,  his  pathos 
and  burning  appeals  to  the  loyalty  of  his  hearers  came  in 
an  eloquent  torrent  from  his  lips,  a  new  fire  came  into  the 
wonderful  eyes,  a  new  glow  swept  over  the  dark  face, 
and  a  new  life  seemed  to  pervade  his  whole  being. 

His  voice  which  had  at  first  been  low  aud  musical,  was 
now  ringing  out  like  a  clarion  call  to  duty,  and  his 
right  arm  seemed  to  sweep  away  every  vestige  of  the 


36  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

sophistry  of  his  opponent.  The  effect  was  not  only 
magical,  but  enduring,  and  this  address  has  gone 
down  into  history  as  one  of  the  most  powerful  on  record, 
among  the  many  splendid  speeches  which  have  been 

called  forth  by  our 
Constitution  and 
our  country. 

Such  was  the 
eclat  derived  from 
his  celebrated  re 
ply  to  Hayne  that 
people  began  to 
talk  of  Webster  as 
a  candidate  for  the 
presidency,  and 
this  vaulting  am 
bition  took  posses 
sion  of  his  heart. 

In  1831  Martin 
Van  Buren  was 
nominated  as  Min 
ister  to  England, 
and  he  departed 
on  his  mission  some  time  before  the  question  of  his 
confirmation  came  up  in  the  Senate. 

Webster  opposed  the  confirmation  with  all  the  earnest 
ness  and  eloquence  of  which  he  was  master.  He  based 
his  attack  upon  the  conduct  of  Va,n  Buren  in  1829  when 
as  Secretary  of  State,  he  had  instructed  Mr.  McLane,  the 
Minister  to  England,  to  re-open  negotiations  on  the  sub- 


Louis  McLane. 
American  Statesman.      Born  1786.    Died  1857. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  37 

ject  of  the  West  India  trade,  thereby  reflecting  on  the 
previous  administration,  and  it  was  claimed  also  that  Van 
Buren  had  said  that  '  'the  party  in  power  would  not  sup 
port  the  pretensions  of  its  predecessors." 

Webster  argued  that  this  was  the  first  instance  in  which 
an  American  minister  had  been  sent  abroad  as  the  rep 
resentative  of  his  party,  and  not  as  a  representative  of 
his  country!  His  opposition  was  successful  and  the  nom 
ination  was  rejected,  but  this  rejection  created  so  much 
sympathy  for  Van  Buren  that  it  insured  his  nomination 
and  election  to  the  presidency,  which  would  otherwise 
probably,  have  fallen  to  Daniel  Webster. 

In  November  of  1832  South  Carolina  in  convention 
passed  her  famous  ordinance,nullifying  the  revenue  laws 
of  the  United  States,  and  afterward  her  legislature  en 
acted  laws  to  carry  out  the  ordinance,  and  gave  an  open 
defiance  to  the  United  States  Government.  The  whole 
country  was  excited.  John  C.  Calhoun  had  resigned  the 
vice-presidency,  accepted  the  senatorship  of  South  Caro 
lina,  and  went  to  the  Capital  as  the  champion  of  the  doc 
trines  of  secession. 

But  "Old  Hickory"  as  Jackson  was  called,  issued  the 
historic  proclamation  on  December  10,  before  Congress 
assembled,  in  which  he  took  the  same  position  which 
Webster  had  so  ably  sustained,  in  his  reply  toHayne,  and 
from  this  document  the  South  Carolinians  learned  that, 
although  a  native  of  the  South,  the  President  of  the 
United  States  had  no  sympathy  with  treason — that  he 
would  enforce  the  laws  of  the  Government  even  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  if  need  be. 


38  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

A  member  of  Congress  from  South  Carolina,  who 
called  upon  him,  inquired  on  leaving,  if  he  had  any 
commands  for  his  friends.  Jackson  answered,  "Yes,  I 
have;  please  give  my  compliments  to  my  friends  in  your 
state  and  say  to  them  that,  if  a  single  drop  of  blood  shall 
be  shed  there,  in  opposition  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  /  will  hang  the  first  man  I  can  lay  my  hands  on, 
who  is  engaged  in  such  treasonable  conduct,  on  the  first 
tree  I  can  reach" 

Mr.  Webster  was  in  New  Jersey  on  his  way  to  Wash 
ington  when  Jackson's  vigorous  proclamation  fell  into  his 
hands;  when  he  reached  Philadelphia  he  met  Henry 
Clay,  and  a  little  later  received  a  copy  of  a  bill,  which 
was  designed  for  the  purpose  of  doing  away  with  the  tar 
iff  gradually,  by  persistent  reductions.  It  was  also  in 
tended  to  prevent  the  imposition  of  further  duties,  and 
in  other  ways  force  the  country  as  soon  as  possible  to 
come  into  harmony  with  the  views  of  the  South  Caro 
linians.  But  this  wholesale  compromise  was  not  at  all  in 
harmony  with  Webster's  feelings. 

There  had  been  open  resistance  to  constitutioual  laws, 
and  until  obedience  had  been  rendered  in  this  particular, 
he  felt  that  any  consideration  of  this  question  of  compro 
mise,  was  an  insult  to  the  whole  nation.  He  immediate 
ly  allied  himself  with  the  administration,  claiming  that 
there  would  be  time  enough  to  talk  of  concessions  after 
the  national  honor  had  been  fully  vindicated. 

At  the  opening  of  the  session,  a  message  was  sent  to 
Congress  asking  that  provision  might  be  made  to  enable 
the  President  to  enforce  the  laws  by  using  both  land  and 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  39 

naval  forces  if  necessary.  This  was  a  radical  measure 
which  set  the  whole  country  in  commotion,  but  it  was 
the  only  thing  which  the  Chief  Executive  could  honor 
ably  do. 

The  message  was  referred  to  a  committee  who  prompt 
ly  reported  the  famous  c  'Force  Bill. "  This  bill  embodied 
the  principles  of  the  message,  and  met  with  the  cordial 
approval  of  the  President.  But  a  portion  of  Jackson's 
own  party  went  into  revolt,  for  many  of  them  were 
Southerners,  and  they  could  not  bring  themselves  to  en 
dorse  the  coercion  of  South  Carolina. 

Mr.  Webster  proved  a  veritable  tower  of  strength  to  the 
administration,  and  on  Feb.  8,  1833,  he  announced  in 
his  usual  forcible  and  eloquent  words,  that  he  was  wholly 
on  the  side  of  the  Constitution  and  the  laws,  and  that  he 
should  give  them  his  most  earnest  support. 

The  camp  of  the  enemy  quailed,  Mr.  Calhoun  being 
alarmed  for  the  success  of  his  measure.  It  was  known  also 
that  the  sturdy  occupant  of  the  Executive  Chair  was  in 
dulging  in  threats  of  hanging  the  traitors.  Calhoun  there 
fore  hurried  to  Henry  Clay,  and  it  was  arranged  that  Clay 
should  introduce  a  tariff  bill  which  was  a  modification  of 
the  other,  but  still  gave  to  South  Carolina  nearly  all  that 
she  asked. 

On  the  nth, Clay  presented  the  bill  which  he  advoca 
ted  in  one  of  his  most  brilliant  speeches,  arguing  that  on 
ly  in  this  way  could  the  tariff  be  preserved.  Webster 
briefly  opposed  the  bill,  and  introduced  a  series  of  resolu 
tions  combating  the  proposed  measure  and  attacking  the 
evident  willingness  to  abandon  the  rightful  powers  of 


40  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Congress.  But  before  he  could  speak  in  behalf  of  his 
resolutions,  the  "Force  Bill"  was  brought  before  the 
house  and  John  C.  Calhoun  in  speaking  of  it  made  his 
celebrated  argument  in  behalf  of  nulification.  He  was 
ably  met,  however,  by  the  champion  of  the  Constitution 
and  the  law.  On  the  i6th  day  of  February,  1833,  in  the 
midst  of  a  most  exciting  congressional  contest,  Webster 
replied  to  Calhoun  in  his  celebrated  speech  entitled, 
"The  Constitution  not  a  Compact. " 

"Perhaps,"  says  Mr.  Curtis,  "there  is  no  speech  ever 
made  by  Mr.  Webster  that  is  so  close  in  its  reasoning,  so 
compact  and  so  powerful."  He  defended  the  Constitu 
tion  as  it  was,  and  also  as  that  which  it  had  come  to 
mean.  This  speech  came  to  be  a  valuable  document  on 
constitutional  law.  It  was  an  eloquent  denunciation  of 
the  doctrines  of  secession,  and  he  was  not  without  proof 
that  South  Carolina  was  now  denouncing  the  very  prin 
ciples  which  she  had  once  warmly  advocated. 

This  splendid  address  gave  voice  to  the  loyalty  of  the 
nation,  and  no  doubt  it  contributed  very  largely  to  the 
magnificent  moral  strength  and  courage,  which  afterward 
carried  it  triumphantly  through  four  years  of  war,  and, 
placed  its  banner  upon  the  mountain  tops  of  victory,  with 
never  a  star  torn  from  its  azure  field. 

While  this  fierce  debate  was  going  on  and  friends 
of  the  Constitution  were  pushing  the  "Force  BilP'to  a  vote, 
Clay  was  exerting  himself  to  the  utmost  to  bring  forward 
the  tariff  bill  in  the  interest  of  compromise.  The  "Force 
Bill,"  however,  was  passed  on  Feb.  2Oth.  It  was  followed 
immediately  by  the  bill  which  Clay  advocated,  and  which 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  41 

Webster  vigorously  opposed.  He  argued  that  it  would 
be  criminal  to  sacrifice  the  interests  of  the  whole  nation 
in  order  to  soothe  the  wounded  pride  of  South  Carolina. 
Clay  did  not  then  press  a  vote  which  he  knew  must  re 
sult  in  the  loss  of  his  measure,  but  he  succeeded  in 
getting  his  tariff  bill  passed  promptly  by  the  House,  af 
ter  which  it  passed  the  Senate  although  Webster  voted 
against  it.  Therefore  the  irritations  of  South  Carolina 
were  soothed  for  the  time  being,  and  the  principles  of  se 
cession  were  cultivated  assiduously  for  a  later  and  more 
vigorous  crop  of  the  same  product. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  Webster  had  a  pro 
longed  struggle  with  the  President,  in  relation  to  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States.  He  came  into  the  fight  fortified 
with  a  set  of  resolutions  from  the  people  of  Boston,  and 
censured  Jackson  for  the  deplorable  condition  of  business 
which  had  obtained,  in  consequence  of  the  removal  of  the 
government  deposits  from  the  National  Bank. 

He  found  that  the  Executive  who  was  so  opposed  to  one 
National  Bank,  had  now  been  the  means  of  creating  a 
large  number  of  small  institutions  called  state  banks,  and 
to  these  the  collection  of  public  revenue  had  been  in 
trusted.  After  the  presentation  of  the  Bos  ton  "resolutions 
and  before  the  close  of  the  session,  he  spoke  upon  this 
subject  in  its  various  forms,  no  less  than  sixty-four  times. 

He  finally  gained  the  victory  over  the  administration, 
and  the  struggle  resulted  in  the  consolidation  of  the  Whig 
party,  as  representing  the  opposition  to  unconstitutional 
encroachments  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

In  April  of  1839,  Mr.  Webster  went  to  England  for  a 


42 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 


long  needed  rest,  taking  with  him  his  wife  and  daughter, 
and  also  Mrs.  Paige,  the  wife  of  his  brother-in-law.  Miss 
Webster  was  at  this  time  engaged  to  be  married  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Appleton,  a  member  of  the  Boston  family  of  that 
name;  but  her  father  could  not  consent  to  a  speedy  mar 
riage,  so  it  was  arranged  that  Mr.  Appleton  should  go 

later  in  company  with  the 
son,  Mr.  Edward  Webster, 
who  was  then  a  student 
in  Dartmouth  College,  and 
the  marriage  should  take 
place  in  England. 

The  "Gazette,"  in  mak 
ing  the  announcement  of 
his  arrival  said,  "We  cor 
dially  welcome  to  our 
shores  this  great  and  good 
man,  and  accept  him  as  a 
fit  representative  of  all 
the  great  and  good  qualities  of  our  trans- Atlantic 
brethren." 

The  day  after  the  announcement,  the  street  in  front  of 
his  hotel  was  crowded  with  carriages,  and  he  at  once  be 
come  a  lion  in  English  Society. 

Afterward  they  made  a  delightful  trip  through  Scot 
land,  and  on  the  24th  of  September  the  marriage  of  the 
daughter  took  place  at  St.  George's  in  Hanover  Square. 
General  Harrison  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency  by 
the  Whigs,  on  the  4th  of  December,  1839. 

This  was  the  first  bit  of  political  news  which  Mr.  Web- 


William  H.  Harrison. 
Ninth  President.    Born  1773.  Died  1841 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  43 

ster  received  when  the  pilot  came  on  board  the  ship  as  it 
approached  New  York  on  the  2Qth  of  the  month. 

The  dreams  of  retirement  in  which  he  had  indulged 
when  embarking  for  home,  were  given  to  the  winds,  for 
he  had  arrived  in  a  time  of  such  political  excitement 
that  he  could  not  well  resist  the  influences  which  were 
drawing  him  into  the  powerful  current.  And  yet  his 
first  address  after  reaching  home  was  in  relation  to  the 
products  of  the  soil. 

The  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  assembled  in  the  fol 
lowing  month,  and  being  composed  mostly  of  farmers, 
they  were  anxious  to  hear  from  Mr.  Webster  on  the  sub 
ject  of  English  agriculture. 

He  met  them  in  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representa 
tives  on  the  evening  of  January  13,  1840,  and  talked  in 
an  easy  conversational  way  to  his  brother  farmers,  con 
cerning  the  observations  which  he  had  made  while  abroad. 

He  was  then  in  the  full  maturity  of  his  manhood 
being  about  fifty-seven  years  of  age,  and  it  is  said  that 
he  had  seldom  presented  a  more  imposing  personal  ap 
pearance  than  on  that  evening. 

He  wore  his  usual  evening  dress  and  also  the  long 
black  broadcloth  cloak  which  was  so  fashionable  at  that 
time.  This  graceful  garment  hung  from  his  shoulders 
and  seemed  to  give  additional  height  to  his  commanding 
figure.  His  dark  eyes  had  lost  none  of  their  fire,  and  the 
dark  hair  having  turned  slightly  gray,  gave  an  air  of 
scholarly  refinement  to  the  rugged  features. 

His  address  was  a  carefully  summary  of  the  best  meth 
ods  of  English  agriculture,  showing  how  the  soil  might 


44  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

be  enriched  instead  of  impoverished,  by  a  wise  system  of 
rotation  of  crops. 

He  soon  found  himself  however  in  the  midst  of  an  ex 
citing  political  campaign  and  he  threw  himself  into  it 
with  all  his  soul.  During  the  summer  of  1840  he  spoke 
in  Massachusetts,  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  in  1833-34  he  made  sixty- 
four  speeches  in  the  Senate  on  the  bank  question,  but  he 
did  more  than  this,  during  that  campaign,  and  under  more 
difficult  circumstances.  He  was  now  compelled  to  ex 
plain  the  subject  of  national  finance  to  large  audiences  who 
were  more  or  less  ignorant  of  the  subject,  but  he  achieved 
a  wonderful  success,  showing  that  he  was  entirely  capa 
ble  of  reaching  the  masses,  and  still  retain  the  dignity  of 
the  statesman. 

His  speeches  were  not  only  listened  to  by  thousands, 
but  they  were  published,  and  read  by  tens  of  thousands. 

His  eloquent  words  fell  upon  willing  ears,  for  the  peo 
ple  were  smarting  under  the  lash  of  "hard  times,"  and 
they  readily  sympathized  with  the  orator  who  so  severely 
criticized  Jackson,  and  so  earnestly  demanded  a  change  in 
the  political  administration  of  the  government.  The  re 
sult  was  an  overwhelming  victory  for  the  Whigs,  and  the 
Jackson  democracy  was  buried  beneath  a  "land-slide." 

Mr.  Webster  had  been  re-elected  to  the  Senate  in  Jan 
uary  of  1839  for  the  six  year  term,and  had  taken  his  seat 
at  the  first  session  of  the  Twenty  Sixth  Congress  on  the 
29th  of  January,  1840. 

General  Harrison  having  been  elected  by  an  over 
whelming  majority,  turned  to  Webster  and  Clay  as  his 


I 
DANIEL   WEBSTER.  45 

strongest  supporters  inviting  them  to  Cabinet  positions — 
Clay  declined,  but  Webster  accepted  the  portfolio  of  the 
State  Department,  and  resigning  his  seat  in  the  Senate 
February  22,  1841,  he  took  his  place  in  the  Cabinet 
the  following  March. 

Before  the  new  President  took  his  seat  he  had  prepared 
a  grandiloquent  inaugural  speech,  and  came  to  Washing 
ton  with  his  manuscript  loaded  with  allusions  to  Roman 
history.  He  handed  this  to  the  man  who  was  to  be  the 
Secretary  of  State,  for  his  approval, and  doubtless  expect 
ing  to  be  complimented  upon  his  classical  knowledge. 
Webster  was  amused,  but  the  situation  was  too  grave  to 
be  passed  by  with  a  smile,  and  after  the  exercise  of  a 
great  deal  of  patience  and  tact,  he  succeeded  in  pruning 
the  inaugural  down  to  a  much  better  literary  condition. 

When  he  returned  that  evening  to  the  house  of  the 
friend  where  he  was  stopping,  he  looked  so  weary  and 
anxious  that  the  lady  of  the  house  asked  him  if  anything 
had  happened. 

"You  would  think  something  had  happened,"  replied 
Webster,  "if  you  knew  what  I  have  been  doing — I  have 
killed  seventeen  Roman  pro-consuls."  It  had  been  a 
cruel  proceeding  to  poor  Harrison,  no  doubt,  for  his  clas 
sical  allusions  were  very  dear  to  his  literary  vanity,  but 
the  finer  mental  training  of  Webster  fortunately  prevailed. 

After  only  one  month  of  official  life  Gen.  Harrison 
suddenly  died,  and  the  duty  of  settling  the  form  to  be  ob 
served  on  such  occasions  devolved  upon  Mr.  Webster. 

When  President  Tyler  was  inaugurated,  he  earnestly 
requested  the  Secretary  of  State  to  remain  at  his  post,  and 


46  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

subsequent  developments  proved  the  wisdom  of  his  choice. 
At  the  opening  of  this  administration,  our  relations 
with  England  were  such,  that  war  seemed  almost  inevi 
table.  The  unsettled  condition  of  our  north-eastern 
boundary  had  been  a  source  of  irritation  to  both  coun 
tries  for  more  than  fifty  years, 
and  the  problem  now  seemed 
to  be  as  far  from  settlement  as 
ever,  and  indeed  new  compli 
cations  were  constantly  aris 
ing. 

It  had  been  agreed  that  there 
should  be  a  new  survey  and  a 
new  arbitration,  and  the  prob 
lem  now  before  both  countries, 
was  the  difficulty  of  finding 
some  one  to  survey  and  to  ar 
bitrate,  who  would  be  accepta 
ble  to  all  parties.  After  the  adjustment  of  many  annoy 
ing  complications,  Mr.  Webster  proposed  to  agree  upon  a 
conventional  line  which  had  been  made  known  to  Eng 
land  by  the  British  Minister,  Mr.  Fox.  Soon  afterward 
Ivord  Ashburton  who  was  known  to  be  friendly  to  the 
United  States,  was  selected  by  Great  Britain  to  go  to 
Washington  on  a  special  mission.  This  envoy  reached 
the  Capitol  in  April  of  1842,  and  negotiations  were  im 
mediately  commenced. 

There  were  many  complications  some  of  them  being  of 
a  delicate  nature,  and  one  of  these  arose  not  long  before 
the  negotiations  began.  The  Creole  was  a  slave  ship  on 


John  Tyler.    Tenth  President. 
Born  1790.      Died  1862. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  47 

which  the  negroes  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  control,  and 
taking  possession  of  her,  they  carried  her  into  an  Eng 
lish  port  in  the  West  Indies  where  assistance  was  refused 
to  the  crew,  and  the  slaves  were  allowed  to  go  free. 

This  was  an  incident  concerning  which  England  was 
very  sensitive,  and  the  Southern  States  exceedingly  in 
dignant,  and  it  required  a  great  deal  of  tact  and  careful 
statesmanship  on  the  part  of  our  Secretary,  to  avoid  this 
rock  of  bitterness  until  the  main  issue  could  be  adjusted. 

Maine  and  Massachusetts  were  in  trouble  because  in 
the  proposed  adjustments  they  were  to  be  losers,  while 
the  benefits  which  were  derived  by  the  United  States  ac 
crued  to  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont. 

Mr.  Webster  allayed  the  irritation  here,  by  proposing 
that  the  United  States  indemnify  these  states  in  money 
for  their  lost  territory.  He  finally  succeeded  in  obtaining 
the  consent  of  the  State  Commissioners.  The  right  of 
search  which  was  claimed  by  England, for  the  suppression 
of  the  slave  trade  was  compromised  by  a  clause  which 
enabled  each  nation  to  keep  its  own  squadron  on  the 
coast  of  Africa,  and  they  were  to  enforce  separately  the 
laws  of  each  government. 

In  the  case  of  the  Creole,  Webster  argued  that  the  ne 
groes  were  demanded  not  because  they  were  slaves,  but 
because  they  were  mutineers  and  murderers.  The  re 
sult  was  the  preparation  of  a  clause  which  carefully 
avoided  any  obligation  on  the  part  of  England  to 
return  fugitive  slaves,  but  it  did  require  the  extradition  of 
criminals. 

Mr.  Webster  also  wrote  a  forcible  letter  to  Lord  Ash- 


46  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

burton  on  the  subject  of  impressment  which  had  been  the 
cause  of  the  trouble  of  1812. 

He  declared  that  if  they  took  sailors  out  of  our  vessels, 
we  would  fight.  The  statement  was  couched  to  be  sure, 
in  more  diplomatic  terms,  to  the  effect  that,  in  future  "in 
every  American  merchant  vessel,  the  crew  who  navigate 
the  ship,  will  find  their  protection  in  the  flag  which  is 
over  them." 

This  simple  statement  on  the  part  of  our  Secretary 
settled  the  whole  matter,  and  it  is  now  regarded  as  an 
important  principle  of  international  law. 

Thus  by  careful  diplomacy,  a  long  and  threatening  in 
ternational  dispute  was  settled,  at  a  time  when  Great 
Britain  was  making  active  preparations  for  war. 

It  was  one  of  the  most  important  as  well  as  one  of  the 
most  successful  diplomatic  cases  in  the  history  of  our 
country,  and  in  conducting  it,  Mr.  Webster  did  not  hesi 
tate  to  call  in  the  best  legal  assistant  counsel  within  his 
reach,  being  especially  aided  by  the  able  advice  of  his 
old  friend  Judge  Story,  whose  assistance  he  was  not  al 
ways  generous  enough  to  publicly  acknowledge. 

It  is  known  that  this  well  known  treaty  had  a  stormy 
passage  both  through  the  United  States  Senate,  and 
through  the  British  Parliament,  but  finally  the  complica 
tions  were  adjusted. 

Even  after  this,  General  Cass  who  was  then  our  min 
ister  to  France,  not  only  protested  against  the  treaty  and 
denounced  it,  but  actually  threatened  to  leave  his  post 
on  account  of  it. 

This  led  to  a  public  correspondence  in  which  Cass  was 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 


49 


compelled  to  acknowledge  that  he  was  completely  defeat 
ed  by  the  Secretary  of  State.  This  was  the  last  import 
ant  war  of  words  on  this  subject,  and  the  work  was  ac 
cepted  by  both  countries  as  being  complete. 

During  many  long  years  of  public  life  Mr.  Webster 
found  much  of 
rest  and  comfort 
in  his  country 
home  at  Marsh- 
field.  This  was  a 
fine  estate  on  the 
shore  of  the  sea, 
and  the  monoton 
ous  rhythm  of  the 
breakers  soothed 
his  tired  nerves. 

His  own  descrip 
tion  of  this  prop 
erty  is  found  in  a 
letter  which  was 
written  to  Mrs. 
C  u  s  t  i  s,  bearing 
date  of  May  26, 
1842. 

"An  old  fashioned  two  story  house,"  he  writes, "with  a 
piazza  all  around  it,  stands  on  a  gentle  rising,  facing  due 
south,  and  distant  fifty  rods  from  the  road. 

"Beyond  the  road  is  a  ridge  of  hilly  land,not  very  high, 
covered  with  oak  wood,  running  in  the  same  direction  as 
the  road,  and  leaving  a  little  depression  exactly  opposite 


Lewis  Cass,  American  Statesman. 
Born  1782.     Died  1866. 


50  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

the  house  through  which  the  southern  breezes  fan  us  of 
an  afternoon.  I  feel  them  now,  coming,  not  over  beds  of 
violets,  but  over  Plymouth  Bay  — fresh  if  not  fragrant. 

"A  carriage-way  leads  from  the  road  to  the  house,  not 
bold  and  impudent,  right  up  straight  to  the  front  door,  like 
the  march  of  a  column  of  soldiers,  but  winding  over  the 
lower  parts  of  the  ground,  sheltering  itself  among  trees 
and  hedges,  and  getting  possession  at  last,  more  by  grace 
than  by  force,  as  other  achievements  are  best  made. 

"Two  other  houses  are  in  sight,  one  a  farm  house,  cot 
tage  built,  at  the  end  of  an  avenue,  so  covered  up  with 
an  orchard  as  to  be  hardly  visible;  the  other,  a  little 
farther  off  in  the  same  direction,  very  neat  and  pretty, 
with  a  beautiful  field  of  grass  by  its  side. 

"Opposite  the  east  window  of  the  east  front  room,  stands 
a  noble  spreading  elm,  the  admiration  of  all  beholders. 
Beyond  that,  is  the  garden  sloping  to  the  east,  and  run 
ning  down  until  the  tide  washes  the  lower  wall. 

"Back  of  the  house  are  such  vulgar  things  as  barns;  and 
on  the  other  side,  that  is,  to  the  north  and  northwest  is  a 
fresh  pond  of  some  extent,  with  green  grass  growing  down 
to  its  margin,  and  a  good  walk  all  around  it.  On  one 
side,  the  walk  passes  through  a  thick  belt  of  trees,  plant 
ed  by  the  same  hand  that  now  indites  this  description. 

"I  say  nothing  of  orchards  and  copses  and  ^clumps  be 
cause  such  things  may  be  seen  in  vulgar  places.  But 
now  comes  the  climax.  From  the  doors,  from  the  win 
dows,  and  still  better  from  twenty  little  elevations,  all  of 
which  are  close  by,  you  see  the  ocean,  reposing  in  calm, 
or  terrific  in  storm,  as  the  case  may  be. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  $I 

"There,  now  you  have  Marshfield,  and  let  us  recapitu 
late. 

"ist.  The  ocean — when  that  is  mentioned,  enough  is 
said. 

"and.  A  dry  pure  air, — not  a  bog  nor  a  ditch,  nor  an  in- 


Marshfield,  the  Home  of  Daniel  Webster. 

fernal  gutter  within  five  miles — not  a  particle  of  exhalation 
but  from  the  ocean,  and  a  running  New  England  stream. 

"3rd.  A  walk  of  a  mile,  always  fit  for  ladies  feet  (when 
not  too  wet)  through  the  orchard  and  the  belt  of  timber. 

"4th.  Five  miles  of  excellent  hard  beach  driving  on  the 
sea  shore.  A  region  of  pine  forest,  three  miles  back,  dark 
and  piney  in  appearance  and  in  smell,  as  you  ever  wit 
nessed  in  the  remotest  interior." 

It  was  here  that  he  enjoyed  the  fresh  air,  and  spent 
much  of  his  time  in  looking  after  the  comfort  of  the  do 
mestic  animals.  He  prided  himself,  upon  possessing 
the  finest  horses,  sheep,  swine  and  fowls  in  the  vicinity. 


52  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Of  his  oxen  he  was  especially  fond,  and  he  knew  all  of 
his  sturdy  healthful  animals  by  name. 

On  his  return  from  Washington  he  would  go  into  the 
house  and  greet  the  family,  and  then  without  stopping  to 
sit  down,  would  go  out  to  the  barn  to  see  the  dumb  mem 
bers  of  his  larger  family,  going  from  one  to  the  other,  pat 
ting  them,  stroking  their  faces  and  feeding  them  from 
his  hand/ 

He  was  especially  fond   of  showing  them  to  his  guests 

and  one  day,  as 
he  stood  beside 
a  friend,  feeding 
the  oxen  with 
ears  of  corn,  his 
son  Fletcher 
amused  himself 
by  playing  with 
a  dog. 

"My  son,"  said  Mr. Webster,  "you  do  not  seem  to  care 
much  for  this.  For  my  part,  I  like  it;  I  would  rather 
be  here  than  in  the  Senate — I  find  better  company." 

It  is  said  that  only  about  a  week  before  his  death,  he 
had  his  fine  oxen  driven  up  before  the  house,  that  he  might 
again  look  upon  their  sleek  forms,  and  into  their  beauti 
ful  eyes. 

It  was  here,  in  this  beloved  Marshfield,  that  he  enjoyed 
fishing  in  company  with  his  sturdy  sailor,  and  boatman, 
Seth  Peterson  Peterson  was  a  queer  old  salt  whom  Mr. 
Webster  had  picked  up,  and  who  was  his  constant  com 
panion  on  the  water  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  a  quick- 


;l    ' 


Settee  from  the  House  of  Webster  at  Marshtielcl. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  S3 

wilted,  humerous  old  fellow,  and  Mr.  Webster  used  to 
credit  him  with  many  bright  speeches* 

Although  his  relations  with  President  Tyler  were  cor 
dial,  some  political  complications  arose  which  were  dis 
tasteful  to  him,  and  in  the  spring  of  1843  ne  resigned  his 
position  in  the  Cabinet,  and  retired  to  his  beloved  home 
in  Marshfield. 

His  work  had  been  eminently  successful,  having  given 
valuable  service  to  the  country  during  a  critical  period  of 
her  foreign  relations,  and  no  one  except  possibly  John 
Adams  had  attained  greater  success  in  the  administration 
of  the  State  Department  than  did  Daniel  Webster. 

He  was  counted  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  the  country 
even  though  his  estates  were  administered  with  the  same 
general  financial  carelessness  which  characterized  all  his 
business.  He  never  kept  regular  accounts,  nor  had  them 
kept,  and  no  doubt  his  two  beautiful  farms  were  a  source 
of  more  expense  than  income.  He  could  earn  money  eas 
ily  in  his  profession,  but  he  had  very  little  judgment 
about  using  it,  and  his  unfortunate  investments,  more  than 
once  called  for  the  kindly  assistance  of  his  friend,  who 
relieved  him  from  embarrassment. 

Perhaps  he  never  enjoyed  Marshfield  more  than  at  this 
time  when  it  was  frequently  cheered  by  the  presence  of 
his  daughter,  Mrs.  Appleton.  His  library  was  now  placed 
in  a  room  which  she  had  planned  for  it,  and  here  he  spent 
many  hours  of  happy  work,  while  from  every  window  he 
could  catch  glimpses  of  the  fields,  the  streams,  the  hills 
and  the  ocean. 

In  these  palmy  days  on  the  Marshfield  estate,  his  table 


54  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

was  largely  supplied  from  the  products  of  his  own  farm. 
Besides  the  fresh  vegetables,  there  were  also  his  own  beef, 
mutton  and  poultry,  with  fish  that  swam  the  same  morn 
ing  in  the  ocean,  or  in  stream,  and  the  wild  fowl  which 
were  found  on  his  own  domain. 

All  that  an  old  fashioned  New  England  garden  and  or 
chard  could  furnish  in  the  way  of  fruit,  added  to  the  din 
ner.  Mr.  Webster  was  not  a  large  eater  but  was  some 
what  critical  in  his  tastes.  He  was  especially  fond  of 
brown  bread  —  said  he  did  not  see  how  any  one  could  live 
without  it,  and  the  fishes  fresh  from  the  sea,  or  in  the 
case  of  the  cod,  salted  over  night  and  then  broiled,  were 
greatly  to  his  taste. 

During  this  summer  he  delivered  the  second  Bunker 
Hill  address  upon  the  completion  of  the  monument.  It 
was  largely  through  the  influence  of  the  speech  upon  the 
laying  of  the  corner  stone,  that  the  public  interest  had 
been  kept  alive  until  the  people  were  enabled  to  complete 
the  most  imposing  monumental  structure  which  had  then 
ever  been  erected  upon  American  soil. 

The  resting  times  of  Mr.  Webster  wrere  few  and  far 
between,  and  in  1844  when  Henry  Clay  was  nominated  for 
the  Presidency,  he  gave  him  a  vigorous  support.  During 
this  campaign  he  made  a  series  of  powerful  speeches, 
mostly  upon  the  tariff.  Clay  was  defeated  but  it  was 
impossible  for  Webster  to  keep  out  of  politics,  and  when 
Choate  resigned  in  the  winter  of  1844-45  ne  was 
again  elected  senator  from  Massachusetts.  In  March  of 
1845,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  Senate  for  his  last  term. 

He   was   absent  when  the  scheming  and  intrigue  of 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 


55 


Polk  and  others  culminated  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  so 
that  his  vote  was  not  given  either  way,  but  he  resisted  the 
drafting  system,  opposed  the  continued  prosecution  of 
the  war,  and  especially  deprecated  the  acquisition  of  new 
territory  by  conquest  claiming  that  it  threatened  the  very 
existence  of  the  na 
tion,  the  principles 
of  the  Constitution 
and  the  Constitution 
itself.  This  war, 
however,  cost  him 
dearly, for  his  second 
son,  Edward  Web 
ster,  died  at  San 
Angel,  eight  miles 
from  the  City  of 
Mexico,  of  typhoid 
fever  which  had 
been  contracted  on 
the  march.  Young 
Webster  was  a  ma 
jor  in  the  regiment 
of  Massachusetts 
Volunteers  serving  in  Mexico.  He  was  accompanied  by 
a  faithful  negro  servant  by  the  name  of  Henry  Pleasants, 
who  had  lived  with  Mr.  Webster  for  a  long  time. 

Henry  had  been  a  slave  in  a  family  where  Mr.  Web 
ster  boarded  in  Washington,  and  being  cruelly  treated 
there,  the  northern  statesman  had  bought  him,  and  given 
him  his  freedom.  He  was  now  married  however,  and 


James  K.  Polk.    Eleventh  President. 
Born  1795.     Died  1849. 


56  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

when  Edward  expressed  a  wish  for  him  to  go  with  him, 
it  was  thought  doubtful  whether  he  would  be  willing  to 
go.  But  he  was  so  strongly  attached  to  Webster  and  his 
family,  that  when  the  soldier  proposed  it  to  him,  he  re 
plied:  "I  will  go  with  you,  Master  Edward,  to  the  ends 
of  the  earth." 

The  young  officer  had  one  severe  illness  soon  after 
reaching  Mexico,  and  returned  home  broken  in  health 
and  with  the  firm  conviction,  that  only  the  faithful  care  of 
Henry  had  saved  his  life.  When  he  had  partly  recov 
ered  his  health,  he  determined  to>rejoin  his  regiment,  and 
the  faithful  negro  insisted  upon  again  going  with  him. 
But  although  he  had  the  same  affectionate  watchfulness 
and  service,  Edward  Webster  died  in  a  foreign  land  when 
only  twenty  eight  years  of  age. 

Henry  brought  the  body  home,  and  with  it  the  favor 
ite  horse  which  Edward  had  continued  to  watch  and  feed 
from  his  bed  room  window  during  his  illness. 

Mr.  Webster  told  the  story  to  Mr.  Ticknor,  and  while 
the  tears  were  streaming  dowrn  his  cheeks,  he  added:  "I 
paid  five  hundred  dollars  for  Henry,  and  it  was  the  best 
spent  money  that  I  ever  laid  out  in  my  life." 

The  body  arrived  in  Boston,  May  i,  only  a  few  hours 
before  the  loved  form  of  his  sister,  Mrs.  Appleton,  was  con 
signed  to  the  tomb,  she  having  died  on  April  the  twenty, 
eighth.  The  body  of  Edward  was  taken  to  the  same 
tomb  on  the  fourth  of  May,  under  military  escort,  and  at 
tended  by  relatives  and  friends.  A  most  appropriate  and 
fervent  religious  service  having  been  held  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Paige,  the  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Webster. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  57 

"On  the  tenth  of  May,"  Mr.  Webster  writes,"!  planted 
two  weeping  elms  on  the  lawn  in  front  of  the  house  at 
Marshfield,  as  a  kind  of  memorial  to  the  memory  of  a  lost 
son  and  daughter.  They  are  to  be  called  'The  Brother 
and  Sister.'  There  were  present  myself  and  wife,  and 
my  son  Daniel  Fletcher  Webster,and  wife,  and  my  daugh 
ter's  two  eldest  children,  viz.  Caroline  LeRoy  Appleton, 
and  Samuel  Appleton.  My  daughter  left  five  children, 
but  Edward  Webster  was  never  married." 

These  two  deaths  coming  so  near  together  were  a  ter 
rible  blow  to  the  fond  father,  but  a  public  man  cannot 
linger  at  the  tomb  of  his  dear  ones.  He  was  sustained  by 
the  strong  comfort  of  the  Christian  hope,  being  a  firm  be 
liever  in  revealed  as  well  as  natural  religion. 

Devotional  tenderness  was  always  the  deepest  cord  in 
his  nature,  and  it  responded  promptly  to  the  needs  of  his 
great  heart,  when  terrible  trouble  came  to  him. 

One  child  only,  remained  to  him  now,  of  all  the 
little  family  which  had  gathered  around  him  in  the  happy 
days  at  Portsmouth  and  Boston,  and  he  went  sadly  at 
work  to  prepare  for  his  family  and  himself,  a  resting  place 
at  Marshfield. 

As  soon  as  he  could  control  himself  sufficiently, he  again 
returned  to  the  post  of  duty  at  Washington  where  con 
siderable  political  changes  had  taken  place  during  his  en 
forced  absence.  He  was  in  his  seat  on  the  twenty-ninth 
of  the  May  which  had  been  the  scene  of  so  much  suffer 
ing  to  himself  and  family. 

By  all  the  laws  of  political  justice,  Mr.  Webster  should 
have  been  the  nominee  of  his  party  for  the  Presidency  at 


$8  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

this  time,  but  the  victories  of  General  Taylor  in  Mexico 
made  him  a  tempting  candidate  and  a  movement  was  set 
on  foot  to  bring  about  this  nomination,  the  managers 
planning  to  give  Webster  the  second  place  on  the  ticket, 
and  thereby  avail  themselves  of  his  great  popularity,  and 
invaluable  services. 

But  Mr.  Webster  strongly  disapproved  of  military  men 
for  the  office  of  President  of  the  United  States,  especially 

in  cases  where  military  suc 
cess  was  the  only  qualifica 
tion  for  office.  The  position 
which  the  administration 
under  Taylor,  would  take  in 
reference  to  the  questions 
connected  with  the  incor- 
I  poration  into  the  Union  of 
the  newly  acquired  territory, 
was  not  known. 

Besides  this,  there  was  the 

Zachary  Taylor.     Twelfth  President.     -   .  , . 

Born  1784.   Died  1850.  bitter    disappointment,    and 

we  cannot  wonder  that  he  spurned  the  offer  of  a  second 
place  on  the  ticket  as  a  personal  insult,  and  openly  re 
fused  to  endorse  Taylor's  candidacy.  Henry  Clay  was 
also  a  candidate,  and  although  when  the  convention  was 
assembled,  Massachusetts  voted  steadily  for  Webster, Tay 
lor  was  nominated. 

Webster  was  sorely  tempted  to  go  home  and  rest  and 
leave  the  party  to  the  fate  which  it  so  richly  deserved, 
but  loyalty  to  the  old  standard  came  to  the  rescue,  and 
he  made  a  speech  at  Marshfield,  in  which  he  said  that 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  59 

"the  nomination  was  not  fit  to  be  made"  but  he  argued 
that  General  Taylor  was  personally  a  brave  and  honorable 
man,  and  as  the  choice  lay  between  him  and  the  Demo 
cratic  candidate,  General  Cass,  he  should  vote  for  Taylor 
and  advise  all  his  friends  to  do  so. 

After  Taylor  was  elected  and  before  he  was  inaugurated, 
in  the  winter  of  1848  —  49,  there  began  a  conflict  in  Con 
gress  which  led  to  the  delivery  of  Webster's  celebrated 
address  on  uThe  Compromises  of  the  Constitution." 

This  speech  which  called  forth  much  severe  criticism, 
was  strongly  in  favor  of  the  Union.  Indeed  his  great  love 
for  the  Union  was  apparently  the  cause  of  the  great  mis 
take  of  his  life  which  was  voiced  in  this  speech,  for  as  he 
advanced  in  years  he  became  so  anxious  for  peace  between 
the  North  and  South,  that  he  advocated  the  great  compro 
mise  of  Henry  Clay  in  regard  to  slavery. 

The  main  features  of  the  compromise  being  the  admis 
sion  of  California  with  her  free  Constitution;  the  organi 
zation  of  the  acquired  territory  without  reference  to  slav 
ery;  a  guaranty  of  the  existence  of  slavery  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  until  Maryland  should  consent  to  its  aboli 
tion;  provision  for  the  more  effectual  enforcement  of  the 
Fugitive  Slave  Law,  and  a  declaration  that  Congress  had 
no  power  over  the  slave  trade,  between  the  slave  holding- 
states. 

Webster,  the  invincible,  had  become  anxious  for  peace 
at  any  price,  and  he  felt  that  the  rising  tide  of  the  free  soil 
movement  in  the  north  must  be  checked,  or  civil  war  and 
possibly  a  disruption  of  the  Union  would  result. 

He  wished  to  act  as  a  peace  maker  between  the  aggres- 


6o 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 


sive  South,  bound  together  by  slavery,  as  the  greatest  po 
litical  force  in  the  country,  and  the  Free  Soil  party  with 
its  earnest  moral  sentiment  without  political  power. 

But  "God  and  one  make  a  majority,"  and  a  few  years 
more,  saw  the  little  Free  Soil  party  in  1856  polling  nearly 
a  million  and  a  half  of  votes  for  Fremont.  After  that,  its 
strides  were  magnificent,  but  freedom  was  blood  bought, 

and  dearly  our  Republic 
paid  for  the  support  which 
she  had  given  to  a  great 
and  terrible  wrong. 

General  Taylor  died  sud 
denly  on  July  9,  1850,  and 
Fillmore  succeeded  to  the 
Presidency.  He  at  once  of 
fered  the  portfolio  of  State 
to  Mr.  Webster,  who  ac 
cepted  it,  resigned  his  seat 

Millard  Fillmore.  Thirteenth  President  in  the  Senate,  and  On  July23, 

assumed  the  new  position. 

It  is  true  that  during  the  second  term  of  office  as  Sec 
retary  of  State,  there  was  no  great  international  negoti 
ation  like  that  of  the  Ashburton  treaty,  but  there  were 
many  questions  of  an  important  character  which  were  ad 
justed  with  Mr.  Webster's  usual  tact  and  ability. 

Besides  his  official  duties,  a  vast  amount  of  matter  from 
his  pen  found  its  way  into  the  public  prints,  as  his  utter 
ances  upon  all  important  topics  were  freely  circulated  and 
read. 

In   the  meantime,   another  presidential   election  was 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  61 

drawing  near,  and  another  attempt  was  made  to  secure  the 
Whig  nomination  for  Webster. 

It  was  evidently  the  last  opportunity  which  his  coun 
try  would  have  for  conferring  this  honor  upon  him,  for 
he  was  now  advancing  in  years,  and  his  health  was  by  no 
means  assured.  His  nomination  was  also  desired  by  a 
large  body  of  men  throughout  the  country,  who  did  not 
ordinarily  take  a  very  active  interest  in  politics,  but  who 
looked  to  him  as  an  exponent  of  the  highest  principles,  as 
well  as  a  representative  of  the  greatest  ability  of  the  nation. 

His  administration  of  the  Department  of  State  had  al 
ways  been  considered  prudent  and  successful,  while  his 
services  to  the  party  seemed  to  make  him  the  legitimate 
candidate. 

His  friends  made  a  formal  and  organized  movement,  the 
Webster  delegates  being  led  by  Mr.  Choate  who  went  to 
Washington,  before  the  convention  assembled,  to  inter 
view  his  chief.  Choate  himself  was  not  very  hopeful  of 
the  result,  but  he  found  Webster  so  sure  of  the  nomina 
tion,  and  so  happy  in  his  approaching  success,  that  he 
had  not  the  heart  to  communicate  his  own  fears. 

The  Whig  convention  assembled  in  Baltimore  on  the 
loth  of  June,  1852,  and  remained  in  session  six  days. 
The  nomination  of  Webster  might  have  been  secured  but 
for  the  fact,  that  a  large  number  of  delegates  had  come 
with  the  determination  of  making  Fillmore  the  candidate. 

Through  fifty-two  successive  ballots,  the  great  majority 
continued  to  divide  their  votes  between  Fillmore  and 
Webster,  thus  making  it  probable  that  in  the  end  General 
Scott  would  be  the  successful  candidate.  And  thus  it 


62 


DANIEL  WEBSTEK. 


happened,  for  on  the  fifty-third  ballot,  Scott  received  more 
than  the  necessary  number  of  votes,  and  poor  Webster 
was  again  bitterly  disappointed. 

The  most  brilliant  man  by  far  in  his  party,  and  one 

who  had  given  a 
long  life  to  the  ad 
vancing  of  her  inter 
ests,  was  in  the  end 
ignored  by  the  very 
men  he  had  so  faith 
fully  served.  It  was 
little  wonder  that  the 
old  party  as  such 
scarcely  survived  his 
death. 

Mr.  Webster's 
health  had  not  been 
very  good  for  some 
time,  and  he  seemed 
to  fail  faster  after 
this  last  great  dis 
appointment.  In  May 
of  1852  while  driving  near  Marshfield,  he  had  been 
thrown  from  his  carriage  and  severely  injured,  and 
during  the  following  summer  he  failed  rapidly.  At  the 
earnest  request  of  the  President  however,  he  retained  his 
position,  and  continued  to  transact  the  business  of  his  de 
partment  until  the  8th  of  September  when  he  returned  to 
Marshfield,  never  again  to  visit  the  capital  of  his  country. 
The  distinguished  patient  seemed  to  feel  that  his  life  work 


General  Winfleld  Scott. 
Born  1786.     Died  1866. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  63 

was  done.  On  Sunday  evening  of  October  loth  his  friend, 
and  secretary, G.  J.  Abbott,  was  with  him,  and  Mr.  Webster 
desired  him  to  read  aloud  the  ninth  chapter  of  St.  Mark's 
Gospel,  and  afterwards  requested  him  to  turn  to  the  tenth 
chapter  of  John.  He  then  dictated  an  inscription  which 
he  said  was  to  be  placed  upon  his  monument.  A  few 
days  later  (on  the  I5th)  he  revised  and  corrected  this  doc 
ument  with  his  own  hand,  wrote  out  a  fair  copy  and 
signed  it.  It  reads  as  follows: 

o 

"Lord,  I  believe;  help  them  mine  uixbelief." 

"Philosophical  argument,  especially  that  drawn  from  the  vastness  of 
the  universe,  in  comparison  with  the  apparent  insignificance  of  this 
globe,  has  sometimes  shaken  my  reason  for  the  faith  that  is  in  me;  but 
my  heart  has  assured  and  reassured  me,  that  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
must  be  a  Divine  Reality. 

"The  Sermon  on  the  Mount  cannot  be  a  merely  human  production. 
This  belief  enters  into  the  very  depth  of  my  conscience.  The  whole 
history  of  man  proves  it. 

(Signed)  Uten'l  Webster." 

When  he  first  dictated  this  inscription,  he  said  to  Mr. 
Abbott:  "If  I  get  well  and  write  the  book  on  Christianity, 
about  which  we  have  talked,  we  can  attend  more  fully  to 
this  matter.  But  if  I  should  be  taken  away  suddenly,  I 
do  not  wish  to  leave  any  duty  of  this  kind  unperformed. 
I  want  to  leave  somewhere,  a  declaration  of  my  belief  in 
Christianity.  I  do  not  wish  to  go  into  any  doctrinal  dis 
tinctions  in  regard  to  the  person  of  Jesus,  but  I  wish  to 
express  my  belief  in  His  divine  mission." 

His  patriotism  also  remained  strong  and  healthful  even 
while  the  body  grew  weaker.  He  had  a  little  boat  on  the 
pond  back  of  his  house,  and  during  his  illness  he  gave 
orders  to  have  the  flag  run  up  to  the  mast-head  and  illu- 


64  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

mined  by  a  lantern,  so  that  the  stars  and  stripes  were 
there  to  cheer  his  sleepless  hours  at  night,  as  long  as  he 
lived.  He  said  it  comforted  him  to  see  it  there,  and  see 
the  flag  too. 

It  is  very  strange  that  a  man  of  Webster's  legal  ability 
and  sturdy  common  sense,  should  have  left  the  making  of 
his  last  will  and  testament  until  these  days  of  physical 
weakness,  but  he  did. 

When  he  began  to  dictate  his  will,  he  said  to  the  man 
who  wrote  it,  that  he  had  always  liked  the  old  fashion  of 
commencing  such  instruments  with  religious  expressions 
and  with  a  recognition  of  one's  dependence  upon  God. 
"Follow  the  old  forms,  "said  he,  "and  do  not  let  me  go  out 
of  the  world  without  acknowledging  my  Maker." 

When  the  will  was  finished,  he  asked  whether  Mrs. 
Webster  and  his  son  Fletcher  had  seen  it,  and  whether 
they  approved  it?  They  both  assured  him  that  they  fully 
assented  to  it.  Then  said  he,  "Let  me  sign  it  now. "  And 
affixing  his  signature,  strongly  and  clearly  written,  he 
said,  "Thank  God  for  strength  to  do  a  sensible  act."  Then 
immediately  and  with  great  solemnity,  he  raised  both 
hands  and  added,  "Oh  God!  I  thank  thee  for  all  thy  mer 
cies." 

After  a  time,  he  began  to  repeat  the  Lord's  Prayer,  but 
after  the  first  sentence  he  began  to  feel  faint,  when  he 
called  out:  "Hold  me  up,  I  do  not  wish  to  pray  in  a  faint 
ing  voice."  Having  been  elevated  on  the  pillows  he  rever 
ently  repeated  the  whole  prayer,  then  ended  his  devotions 
with  words  of  praise,  and  expressions  of  "Peace  on  earth 
and  good  will  to  men." 


^2U, 


£ 


Reduced  Fac-Simile  of  a  Letter  Written  by  Webster  to 
Mr.  A.  M.  Blatchford,  April  21,  1851. 


e>6  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

On  the  evening  of  October  23  he  fell  asleep,  profoundly 
grateful  for  the  good  he  had  been  permitted  to  do,  and 
with  a  sublime  faith  in  the  future  life. 

The  whole  country  felt  the  shock,  when  it  was  said 
that  he  was  dead.  People  remembered  his  splendid  pub 
lic  service  and  the  majesty  of  his  personal  presence,  and 
they  felt  that  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  State  had  fallen. 

In  his  will  he  had  said,  "I  wish  to  be  buried  without 
the  least  show  or  ostentation,  but  in  a  manner  respectful 
to  my  neighbors,  whose  kindness  has  contributed  so  much 
to  the  happiness  of  me  and  mine,  and  for  whose  prosper 
ity,  I  offer  sincere  prayers  to  God."  Therefore  the  funer 
al  arrangements  were  simple,  although  the  President  of 
the  United  States  sent  an  agent  of  the  State  Department 
to  propose  a  public  funeral,  and  to  take  charge  of  it  in  the 
name,  and  with  the  resources  of  the  government.  The 
public  feeling  throughout  the  country  was  in  full  sym 
pathy  with  the  desire  of  the  Chief  Magistrate,  but  when 
Mr.  Webster's  wishes  became  known,  all  his  friends  felt 
that  the  most  appropriate  funeral  honors  which  could  be 
paid  him  were  those  which  he  himself  had  desired.  On 
Friday,  October  29th,  1852,  there  was  a  fervent  religious 
service  in  his  own  home,  and  the  gates  of  his  spacious 
lawn  were  thrown  open. 

The  casket  was  placed  upon  a  mound  of  flowers,  and 
the  multitude  swept  through  the  grounds,  passing  by  the 
majestic  form,  and  looking  reverently  upon  the  familiar 
features.  There  were  ten  thousand  people  who  came  to 
Marshfield  on  that  beautiful  autumn  day.  when  the  ma 
ples  were  scarlet  in  the  woods,  and  the  Indian  summer 


DANIEL  VvEBSTER.  67 

had  thrown  her  mantle  of  golden  haze  over  land  and  sea. 

The  wealth  and  intellect  of  America  were  represented 
there,but  there  were  also  the  servants  and  humbler  friends 
of  him  whom  they  mourned.  One  unknown  man,  in  rus 
tic  garb  bent  for  a  moment  over  the  casket  and  said  pa 
thetically:  "The  world  without  you,  Daniel  Webster  will 
be  lonesome." 

The  fame  of  an  author  is  comparatively  safe  because 
his  work  is  placed  in  permanent  form.  But  the  elo 
quence  of  the  orator  is  a  thing  of  the  hour.  He  sw^ys 
his  audience  very  much  as  he  wills,  but  the  people  pass 
away  from  his  influence  and  often  even  forget  the  mighty 
impulse  which  has  stirred  them. 

There  are  however  at  least  four  of  the  world'?  or 
ators,  whose  speeches  have  attained  a  place  among  vhe 
great  classics. 

Demosthenes,  Cicero,  Burke  and  Webster  will  be  re 
membered  in  the  world  of  letters  as  long  as  force,  polish, 
and  eloquence  are  counted  as  necessary  features  of  liter 
ature.  When  compared  with  the  masterpieces  of  his  pred 
ecessors,  Webster's  speeches  stand  the  test.  We  need 
not  fear  that  American  oratory  will  fall  below  the  earner 
standards. 

The  temporary  excitement  of  the  times  had  passed,  snd 
his  wrork  receives  its  full  quota  of  appreciation  at  the 
hands  of  the  generations  of  critics  who  come  after 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

(1782-1852) 

BY  G.  MERCER  ADAM* 

f~\  F  great  American  statesmen,  diplomats,  and  jurists  who 
have  not  filled  the  Presidential  chair  (how  many  and 
distinguished  is  the  number!) — men  of  the  high  stamp  of 
Franklin,  Patrick  Henry,  Jay,  Hamilton,  Clay,  Calhoun, 
Marshall,  Everett,  Choate,  Seward,  and  Sumner — not  the 
least  eminent  among  them  must  be  named  Daniel  Web 
ster,  long  the  idol  of  his  country  and  the  most  eloquent  and 
renowned  representative  of  the  Massachusetts  bar.  His 
public  career  dates  from  the  era  of  the  War  of  1812  to 
within  ten  years  of  the  outbreak  of  the  War  of  the  Rebel 
lion — a  period  of  marvellous  material  development,  as  well 
as  thronged  with  incident,  political  and  social,  in  every 
feature  of  the  national  life.  In  the  Senate,  as  well  as  in 
political  assemblies,  few  men  of  the  time  had  greater  influ 
ence  than  he,  or  more  powerfully  thrilled  a  popular  audi 
ence  by  his  magnificent  presence  and  persuasive,  convincing 
speech.  In  spite  of  a  towering  though  vain  ambition,  and 
marked  moral  failings,  well-nigh  irreconcilable  in  one  who 
had  such  clearness  of  mental  vision,  and  so  wonderful  a 
power  of  impressing  his  hearers  with  the  justice  and  sound 
ness  of  his  utterances  on  almost  all  moral,  legal,  and  con- 


•Historian,  Biographer,  and  Essayist,  Author  of  a  "Pr6cis  of  English  His 
tory,"  a  '  Continuation  of  Grecian  History,"  etc.,  and  for  many  years  Editor  ol 
Self-Culture  Magazine.— The  Publishers. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  69 

stitutional  questions,  Webster  enjoyed,  in  a  phenomenal  de 
gree,  the  high  regard  and  veneration,  particularly  of  the 
New  England  people,  and  the  adulation  of  those  who  were 
charmed  by  his  eloquence  and  won  to  the  man  by  his  ardent, 
if  somewhat  sectional,  patriotism,  and  his  fiery  and  ani 
mating  national  spirit.  His  sympathy  with  the  masses,  it 
is  true,  was  never  real  or  intimate ;  on  the  contrary,  he  stood, 
professionally  at  least,  by  the  classes;  and  in  the  courts,  if 
not  also  in  the  Senate,  was  the  advocate  of  property  and  the 
great  corporations,  who  paid  him  enormous  fees,  that  un 
fortunately  led  to  extravagant  living  and  to  a  looseness 
in  money  matters  which  sadly  mars,  as  it  properly  detracts 
from,  his  widespread  fame.  Nor  was  his  attitude  on  the 
slavery  question,  in  approving  compromise  and  concession, 
while  righteously  holding  it  to  be  a  great  evil,  either  con 
sistent  or  commendable.  Still  less  so  was  his  tergiversation 
on  economic  issues,  and  his  change  of  position  from  that 
early  taken  by  him  in  favor  of  Free  Trade  to  that  of  Pro 
tection  and  a  high  tariff — a  change  of  view  not  one  of  prin 
ciple,  but  a  concession  to  the  interests  of  his  business  friends 
and  manufacturing  supporters  in  New  England.  Despite 
these  and  other  inconsistencies  and  fluctuations  of  opinion 
and  utterance  on  public  questions  of  great  moment,  Webster, 
alike  by  his  eloquence  and  the  power  of  his  personality,  was 
a  real  force  in  his  time ;  and  as  an  orator  and  declaimer  of 
entrancing  gifts  he  was  naturally  much  sought  after  on 
high  festivals  and  commemorative  and  dedicatory  occa 
sions. 

In  viewing  the  life  and  career  of  such  a  man,  it  is  at 
times  hard  to  do  him  full  justice  when  we  consider  how 


70  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

almost  transcendent  were  his  gifts,  and  how  picturesquely 
he  looms  up  on  the  canvas  of  the  historic  past,  on  occasions 
such  as  those  when  he  delivered  his  famous  address,  early 
in  his  career,  at  Plymouth,  in  commemorating  the  Landing 
of  the  Pilgrims,  and  at  Charlestown,  Mass.,  at  the  laying 
of  the  corner  stone  of  Bunker  Hill  monument.  Grand  also 
was  the  effect  he  produced  at  Faneuil  Hall,  Boston,  when 
delivering  his  oration,  in  1826,  on  the  just  deceased  patriots 
John  Adams  and  Thomas  Jefferson.  On  these  memorable 
occasions,  as  well  as  on  those  on  which  he  delivered  his 
masterpieces  of  powerful  and  theoretical  argument,  in  the 
celebrated  Dartmouth  College  case,  and  in  that  ablest  of  all 
American  debates — his  magnificent  reply  in  the  Senate  to 
Colonel  R.  Y.  Hayne,  of  South  Carolina,  opposing  the  right 
of  Nullification — we  see  to  what  heights  Webster  could 
soar,  and  how  marvellous  were  the  powers  of  the  man  when 
great  occasion  called  them  into  influential  and  patriotic  ex 
ercise.  At  such  times  one  forgets  the  weaknesses  of  the 
great  lawyer  and  the  flaws  in  his  character,  and  remembers 
only  his  brilliant  successes  and  noble  achievements. 

The  chief  events  in  the  life-history  of  Daniel  Webster  are, 
for  the  most  part,  familiar  to  all ;  but  as  we  purpose  afresh 
to  follow  them,  that  we  may  see  them  as  a  connected  whole, 
we  begin  to  trace  them  succinctly  from  his  birth  and  early 
youth  up,  and  throughout  his  career,  until  the  end  came,  in 
his  seventy-first  year,  at  his  historic  New  England  home,  in 
Marshfield,  in  the  autumn  of  1852.  The  future  statesman 
and  orator  of  more  than  national  repute  was  born  at  Salis 
bury  (Franklin),  N.  H.,  January  18,  1782.  His  father, 
Ebenezer  Webster,  was  a  worthy  man  of  Scotch  extraction, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  71 

who  had  seen  service  as  a  captain  in  the  French  and  Indian 
War,  and  now  lived  with  his  family,  to  whom  he  was  de 
voted,  on  a  New  Hampshire  farm.  Living  on  the  frontier, 
young  Daniel,  then  a  somewhat  delicate  youth,  was  depend 
ent  for  his  early  training  on  a  good  and  affectionate  mother, 
and  for  the  rather  scanty  schooling  to  be  had  in  the  neigh 
borhood,  and  that  only  in  the  winter.  When  he  was  fifteen,  his 
parents  determined,  however,  to  send  the  lad  to  college, 
a  step  which  necessarily  involved  more  or  less  rigid  econ 
omy  and  an  extra  but  .ere  long  well-requited  struggle  at 
home.  His  systematic,  though  still  slender,  education 
began  at  Philips  Academy,  in  Exeter,  whence,  after  being 
coached  by  a  tutor,  he  passed  to  Dartmouth  College,  where 
he  graduated  in  1801.  While  at  the  latter,  he  had  to  meet 
his  college  expenses  by  teaching  school  in  vacation  time; 
and'  he  afterwards  taught  in  an  academy  in  Maine,  receiv 
ing  there  the  pittance  of  $350  a  year,  the  bulk  of  which 
sum  he  saved  to  help  a  younger  brother  through  college, 
earning  the  money  to  pay  his  own  board,  it  is  said,  by  copy 
ing  deeds  through  the  long  winter  evenings. 

At  this  period  in  his  young  and  promising  life,  the  New 
Hampshire  lad  cast  about  for  a  profession,  and  presently 
we  find  him  reading  and  studying  assiduously  in  a  law 
yer's  office,  first  at  Salisbury,  and  later  on  at  Boston,  in 
the  law  office  of  Governor  Gore.  In  1805,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar,  and  began  to  practice  at  Boscawen,  near  his 
early  home ;  and  after  his  father's  death  he  opened  an  office 
in  Portsmouth,  then  the  largest  town  in  his  native  State, 
where  he  began  to  take  a  leading  place  in  his  profession. 
In  May,  1813,  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  where  he  was 


72  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

placed  on  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs,  and  espous 
ing  the  cause  of  the  Federalist  party  made  two  notable 
speeches  in  the  House,  one  in  opposition  to  the  war  policy 
of  the  government,  then  engrossed  in  the  War  of  1812  with 
Britain  and  the  invasion  of  Canada,  and  the  other  on  the 
Berlin  and  Milan  decrees,  which  injuriously  affected  the 
maritime  commerce  of  the  young  nation  in  the  complications 
then  existing  between  Britain  and  France  under  Bonaparte. 
In  these  speeches,  though  the  influence  of  a  Federalist  in 
Congress  would  not  then  be  great,  Webster  at  least  showed 
the  House  that  a  new  power  had  arisen  in  oratory. 

In  1816,  the  young  orator-congressman  withdrew  for  a 
time  from  political  life  and  devoted  himself  to  his  profes 
sion.  In  that  year  he  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  soon 
won  for  himself  a  place  as  prominent  as  he  had  held  in  New 
Hampshire,  and  within  a  few  years  his  reputation  as  a  law 
yer  became  national.  This  he  earned,  in  part,  by  his  legal 
attainments  and  by  the  force  and  vigor  of  his  appearances 
in  both  the  State  and  Federal  Courts,  and,  in  part  also,  by 
his  speeches  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  his  ad 
dresses  before  political  assemblages  here  and  there  in  the 
country  on  topics  of  moment  at  the  period — political,  finan 
cial,  and  industrial.  In  1818,  he  further  greatly  enhanced 
his  reputation  as  a  lawyer  by  a  speech  before  the  Supreme 
Court,  in  the  celebrated  Dartmouth  College  case,  the  im 
portant  result  of  which  was  to  restrain  an  individual  State 
from  impairing,  or  otherwise  modifying,  a  charter  once  is 
sued,  and  thus  correspondingly  enhancing  the  Federal  power. 
This  achievement  of  Mr.  Webster  not  only  brought  him 
fame  as  a  constitutional  lawyer,  but  earned  him  the  grati- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  73 

tude  of  all  institutions,  whether  academic  or  benevolent, 
whose  charters  or  other  interests  were  in  jeopardy  from  un 
scrupulous  politicians  or  intermeddling  enemies,  since  he 
guarded  them  forever  after  from  attack,  and  secured  them 
in  their  inviolable  rights  and  privileges  in  the  eye  of  the 
law.  Similarly,  in  other  cases,  the  great  jurist  rendered 
high  service  to  his  country,  by  settling  many  difficult  and 
important  questions,  involving  sacred  legal  rights,  by  the 
force  as  well  as  the  justness  of  his  arguments,  by  his  wide 
knowledge  of  the  principles  of  equity,  and  by  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  nice  points  and  the  technicalities  of 
his  profession.  Among  these  notable  cases  is  that  of  Ste 
phen  Girard's  will,  the  purpose  and  spirit  of  which  Mr. 
Webster  ably  sustained,  "while  demonstrating  the  vital  im 
portance  of  Christianity  to  the  success  of  free  institutions." 
Other  instances  embrace  the  Ogden  and  Saunders  case, 
where,  as  it  has  been  said,  Mr.  Webster  "settled  the  consti 
tutionality  of  State  bankrupt  laws;  the  United  States  Bank 
case,  in  which  he  maintained  the  right  of  a  citizen  of  one 
State  to  perform)  any  legal  act  in  another  State ;  and  the 
Rhode  Island  case,  in  which  he  proved  the  right  of  a  State 
to  modify  its  own  institutions  of  government.  In  the 
Knapp  murder  case,  he  brought  out  the  power  of  conscience 
— the  voice  of  God  to  the  soul — with  such  terrible  forensic 
eloquence  that  he  (Webster)  won  the  admiration  of  all 
Christian  people/' 

We  now  approach  the  era  of  Webster's  most  useful 
career  in  politics,  for  in  1823  he  was  returned  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  from  his  own  Boston 
district.  In  some  degree  his  utterances  in  Congress  and  his 


74  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

attitude  in  regard  to  the  political  questions  of  the  time 
curiously  conflict  with  views  held  by  him  later  in  life  and 
perplex  one  in  seeking  to  do  justice  to  his  character  as 
a  statesman.  This  is  explained,  in  part,  by  the  contem 
porary  exigencies  of  party,  and  in  part  also  by  the  growth  of 
conviction  in  his  mind,  influenced  more  or  less  by  current 
opinion  and  the  behests  of  influential  constituents.  In  spite 
of  these  changes  of  front  and  oscillations  of  mind  upon 
not  a  few  public  questions  of  vital  character,  Mr.  Webster, 
nevertheless,  proved  himself  ever  loyal  to  his  country,  and 
powerfully  as  well  as  consistently  strove  to  consolidate  the 
Union  and  preserve  the  Nation,  so  far  as  patriotism  and 
public  opinion  could  influence  that  end,  "one  and  insepar 
able."  This,  at  the  period,  was  no  easy  thing  to  do,  con 
sidering  the  discordant  issues  then  before  the  country,  and 
the  experimental  stage  of  the  national  Constitution,  with 
some  States  and  sections  of  the  Nation  strongly  opposed 
to  a  centralized  and  dominating  Federal  power,  and  bitterly 
resenting  imposed  restrictions  by  it  on  local  freedom  and  the 
principle  involved  in  State-Rights.  Just  here,  in  meeting 
and  defying  this  anti-national  clamor,  particularly  at  this 
era  in  South  Carolina,  where  the  Nullification  movement 
was  then  rife,  did  Daniel  Webster  rise  to  a  height  of  patriotic 
grandeur  and  loyalty  to  the  Union,  of  incalculable  service 
to  the  nation ;  and  especially  in  the  magnificent  argument 
he  set  before  the  people  for  the  maintainance  of  the  Con 
stitution  in  its  integrity,  and  his  forceful  and  lucid  presenta 
tion  of  the  theory  upon  which  it  was  originally  founded 
— not  as  a  partnership  to  be  dissolved  at  will,  but  as  an  in- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  75 

violable  compact,  at  all  hazards  to  be  permanently  main 
tained  and  cherished,  even  with  the  shedding  of  blood. 

In  this  splendid  defense  of  the  supremacy  of  the  Federal 
authority,  and  the  trenchant  arraignment  of  threatened 
State  resistance  to  it,  which  marks  Webster's  memorable 
speech  in  "Reply  to  Hayne"  and  that  answer  to  Calhoun 
on  "The  Constitution  not  a  Compact,"  we  have  constitutional 
addresses  of  the  highest  and  most  impressive  character,  which 
well  earned  for  the  great  orator  the  plaudits  of  the  people 
of  his  day,  as  they  have  since  won  for  him  the  honor 
and  gratitude  of  all  who  have  come  after  them.  Alas! 
that  the  memory  of  this  glorious  service  should  be  after 
wards  clouded  by  his  maladroit,  ill-considered  "Seventh 
of  March  speech,"  in  1850,  in  support  of  Clay's  compromise 
measures,  by  which  Webster  hoped,  through  Southern  favor, 
to  obtain  the  coveted  prize  of  the  Presidency — a  speech, 
which  if  we  do  not  wrong  the  man,  shows  him  in  rather 
an  unenviable  and  far  less  commendable  light,  as  a  palterer 
with  his  conscience,  and  a  truckler  to  Compromise  and  the 
exactions  of  Sectionalism,  with  its  evil  taint  of  slavery, 
which  ere  long  was  to  be  fought  out  and  scorched  to  the 
bone  in  the  fires  of  Civil  War. 

But  we  turn  to  other  and  less  infelicitous  subjects.  In 
1824,  Mr.  Webster  took  part  in  Congress  in  the  debate 
on  the  desired  appointment  of  a  Commissioner  to  Greece, 
then  in  the  thick  of  her  six-years'  struggle  (1821-27)  with 
the  Ottoman  Porte.  Though  not  arguing  for  active  inter 
vention  in  the  cause  of  Greece,  he  desired  to  show  Ameri 
can  sympathy  for  a  brave  people  engaged  in  a  life  and  death 
conflict  for  independence  against  the  cruel  and  despotic 


76  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Mussulman  Power.     In  the  debate,  he  eulogized  the  Greek 
patriots,  and,  like  George  Canning,  the  English  statesman, 
desired  to  show  the  world  his  classic  sympathies  with  the 
cause  of  Freedom.     Nothing,  however,  came  of  the  motion ; 
though  Mr.  Webster's  speech  was  one  that  did  great  credit 
alike  to  the  orator's  head  and  heart.     The  Greeks,  as  we 
know,  were  fortunately  able,  with  the  aid  in  the  long  run 
of  England,  France,  and  Russia,  to  free  themselves  from 
Turkish  dominion,  and  the  resurrection  of  their  historic  coun 
try  and  its  admission  into  the   family  of  European  king 
doms  at  length  came  about.     Just  four  years  before  this, 
Mr.  Webster  delivered  at  Plymouth,   Mass.,  that  thought 
ful  and  felicitous  discourse  in  commemoration  of  the  Land 
ing  of  the  Pilgrims  in  New  England,  two  hundred  years 
earlier,  and  delighted  the  ear  of  the  young  nation  with  his 
touching   and    eloquent   reminiscence   of   the    era   and    the 
sacred  spot  "where  the  first  scene  of  our  history  was  laid ; 
where  the  hearths  and  altars  of  New  England  were  first 
placed ;    where    Christianity,    and    civilization,    and    letters, 
made   their  first   lodgment, — in   a   vast   extent   of  country, 
covered  with  a  wilderness  and  peopled  by  roving  barbar 
ians."  Profiting  by  the  occasion  and  its  memories,  and  seek 
ing   wisely   to   impress   upon   his   hearers   a   sense   of   the 
debt  due  the  early  fathers  of  the  country  and  that  grati 
tude  to  them,  called  for  in  those  who  stood  around  him,  the 
orator,  as  he  concluded  his  magnificent  address,  summons 
them  patriotically  to  manifest  both   "some  proof  that  we 
hold   the   blessings   transmitted    from   our    fathers   in   just 
estimation ;  some  proof  of  our  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
good  government,  and  of  civil  and  religious  liberty;  some 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  77 

proof  of  a  sincere  and  ardent  desire  to  promote  everything 
which  may  enlarge  the  understandings  and  improve  the 
hearts  of  men."  "The  oration,"  writes  Mr.  Carl  Schurz, 
in  commenting  on  it,  "with  its  historical  picturesqueness, 
its  richness  of  thought  and  reasoning,  its  broad  sweep 
of  contemplation,  and  the  noble  and  magnificent  sim 
plicity  of  its  eloquence,  was  in  itself  an  event.  No  literary 
production  of  the  period  in  America  achieved  greater  re 
nown.  From  that  time  on,  Massachusetts  loved  to  exhibit 
herself  in  his  person  on  occasions  of  State ;  and,  in  prefer 
ence  to  all  others,  Webster  was  her  spokesman  when  she 
commemorated  the  -great  events  of  her  history.  As  such 
he  produced  a  series  of  addresses — at  the  laying  of  the 
cornerstone,  and  later  at  the  completion,  of  the  Bunker 
Hill  monument,  on  the  death  of  John  Adams  and  of  Thomas 
Jefferson,  and  on  other  occasions — which  his  contempor 
aries  acclaimed  as  ranking  with  the  great  oratorical  achieve 
ments  of  antiquity." 

In  the  years  1828  and  1829,  Mr.  Webster  was  in  his  fam 
ily  relations  doubly  bereaved,  first  in  the  loss  of  a  loved 
wife,  and  then  in  the  loss  of  his  brother,  Ezekiel,  to  whom 
he  was  much  attached.  The  loss  he  suffered  in  the  death 
of  Mrs.  WTebster,  though  greatly  lamented,  he  sought  in 
some  measure  to  make  good,  by  taking  to  himself,  a  year 
later,  a  second  wife,  who,  we  believe,  survived  her  distin 
guished  husband  by  some  years.  Tn  1828,  Mr.  Webster 
became  a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate,  and  sat  in 
the  Upper  House  until  1841,  when  he  was  appointed  Secre 
tary  of  State  under  President  Harrison  and  under  his  suc 
cessor,  Mr.  Tvler;  after  which  he  resumed  his  seat  in  the 


78  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Chamber  until  1850,  when  he  accepted  his  former  post  of 
Secretary  of  State  in  President  Fillmore's  Cabinet."  While 
a  member  of  the  Senate,  from  1828  to  1841,  he  delivered 
those  great  constitutional  speeches  that  raised  him  to  the  pin 
nacle  of  fame  and  gave  him  his  commanding  position  as  a 
leader  of  the  Northern  Whigs.  It  was  at  this  period  that 
we  have  from  him  his  masterly  address  in  "Reply  to  Hayne," 
and  the  hardly  less  celebrated  one  on  that  organic  and' 
fundamental  theory,  which  he  so  ably  propounded  and 
elaborated  in  reply  to  Calhoun,  entitled  "The  Constitution 
not  a  Compact."  Besides  these  and  other  notable  addresses 
in  the  Senate,  Mr.  Webster,  in  this  active  and  most  useful 
period  of  his  career  as  a  publicist  and  statesman,  delivered 
numberless  addresses  on  financial,  and  such  like  vital,  topics 
that  agitated  the  country  at  the  time,  including  the  dis 
cussion  of  the  important  tariff  question,  on  which  the  mem 
ber  for  Massachusetts,  as  we  have  previously  said,  made 
a  volte  face.  In  explanation  of  the  latter,  there  seems  little 
reason  to  doubt  that  Mr.  Webster  was  moved  by  consider 
ation  for  those  who  had  been  his  manufacturing  constitu 
ents,  while  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  when  he  turned 
his  back  on  Free  Trade  and  accepted  Protection  and  a  high 
tariff  as  the  policy  to  be  adopted  at  this  time  by  the  nation. 
We  are  not  saying  that  he  did  wrong  in  this ;  but  it  is  worth 
while  for  those  interested  in  economic  questions  to  see  what 
were  Mr.  Webster's  early  views  on  the  vexed  problem, 
and  how  ably  and  attractively  he  presented  the  argument 
for  Free  Trade,  when  he  opposed  Clay's  Protectionist  tariff, 
and  then  afterwards  abandoned  the  broad  truths  of  eco 
nomic  science  and  the  Free  Trade  principles  for  which 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  79 

he  had  at  one  time  contended.  More  staunch,  as  well  as  of 
incalculable  benefit  just  then  to  the  country,  was  his  course 
on  financial  matters,  when  the  question  arose  as  to  the  found 
ing  of  a  National  Bank.  On  the  theme  he  took  a  thor 
oughly  sane  and  sound  position,  pointing  out  the  evils  of  an 
inflated  currency,  and  the  essential  requirements,  in  all  le 
gitimate  banking  operations,  that  they  should  inspire  public 
confidence,  while  doing  justice  to  the  credit  and  honorable 
reputation  of  the  Nation. 

We  wish  we  could  speak  as  warmly  of  his  attitude  in  re 
gard  to  slavery,  which,  unhappily,  like  that  on  the  tariff, 
radically  changed,  in  his  desire  to  stand  well  with  the  South 
and  capture  its  vote  on  the  Presidency,  to  which  he  had  set 
vain  though  longing  eyes.  This  change  of  front  is  all  the 
more  remarkable  since  before  the  period  came  when  he 
wrought  dismay  in  the  North  by  seeking  to  conciliate  the 
South  on  the  slavehblding  question,  he  had  denounced  the 
giant  evil,  alike  as  a  political  and  moral  sin;  while  he  well 
knew  what  the  sentiment  of  his  own  New  England,  and 
indeed  of  the  whole  North,  was  in  regard  to  it — a  sentiment 
that  would  make  no  concession  to  it  or  tolerate  its  exten 
sion  in  any  new  State  or  annexed  territory.  To  turn  now, 
as  he  did,  and  asperse  antislavery  principles  and  traduce 
as  "mischievous  marplots"  those  who  were  loud  in  their 
denunciation  of  the  evil,  was  a  shock  to  the  intellect  and 
conscience  of  the  Northern  people;  though,  with  old-time 
vigor  and  eloquence,  he  patriotically  denounced  disunion, 
and  continued  to  the  last  to  insist  upon  the  integrity  of  the 
nation  and  uncompromising  loyalty  to  the  Constitution.  On 
this  strong  ground  Mr.  Webster  was  immovable  as  a  rock, 


go  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

for  he  saw  that  secession  was  incompatable  with  national 
existence,  and  if  the  nation  must  suffer  its  integrity  to  be 
shaken  and  disunion  played  with,  the  whole  had  better  go 
and  disruption  and  dismemberment  be  accepted  as  the  death 
of  the  Republic.  Only  on  this  view  can  we  understand 
the  great  statesman's  attitude  in  making  the  ''Seventh  of 
March  speech;"  since  to  him  conciliation  and  the  Clay 
Compromise  were  the  only  acceptable  overtures  to  silence 
Abolitionism,  and  sectional  animosities,  obviate  war,  and 
thus  save  and  perpetuate  the  Nation. 

But  it  is  time  to  return  to  the  chief  incidents  in  Mr. 
Webster's  career,  and  to  note,  after  some  months'  sojourn 
in  England  in  1838,  his  appointment,  in  1841,  as  Secretary 
of  State  in  President  Harrison's  Cabinet.  Mr.  Webster's 
management  of  the  affairs  of  this  important  office  was  char 
acterized  by  ability  and  good  sense.  The  chief  feature  of 
his  administration  of  the  post  was  the  adjustment  with 
England,  by  the  Ashburton  Treaty,  of  boundary  matters  on 
the  line  dividing  the  United  States  from  the  British  Amer 
ican  provinces,  or,  more  specifically,  between  Canada  and 
Maine.  (The  more  complicated  Oregon  boundary  question, 
it  may  here  be  said,  was  for  the  time  settled  four  years  later, 
viz.,  in  1846).  Arbitration  as  a  mode  of  settlement  in  the 
matter  of  the  Maine  boundary  had  previously  been  tried 
and  had  failed,  until  the  appearance  at  Washington  of  the 
English  plenipotentiary,  Lord  Ashburton,  who  jointly  with 
Mr.  Webster  brought  the  question  happily  to  a  settle 
ment.  Other  provisions  of  this  treaty  included  an  agree 
ment  for  the  suppression  of  the  slave  trade  on  the  coast 
of  Africa,  and  also  for  the  mutual  extradition  of  fugitives 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  81 

from  justice.  _  Meanwhile,  Mr.  Harrison,  who  held  the 
Presidency  for  one  month  only,  died  in  April,  1841,  and  was 
succeeded  in  the  office  by  Vice-President  Tyler,  who  in 
duced  Mr.  Webster  to  continue,  in  his  administration,  his 
duties  as  State-Secretary.  This  he  did;  but  party  cabals 
and  other  political  dissensions  led  Mr.  Webster,  in  the 
Spring  of  1843,  to  resign  his  post  and  retire  for  a  time 
to  his  attractive  home  at  Marshfield,  Mass. 

Here  he  was  glad  to  rest  for  a  time,  for  his  life  had 
been  a  busy  and  wearying  one ;  moreover,  he  was  a  sufferer 
from  hay  fever,  and  had  many  personal  disappointments 
to  vex  and  embitter  him,  as  well  as  considerable  domestic 
affliction,  to  wean  him  from  the  world,  its  sorrows  and  its 
strifes.  To  add  further  to  his  personal  bereavements,  death 
in  1847  took  from  him  a  favorite  daughter,  and  also  a  son. 
who  was  killed  in  the  Mexican  war.  The  Fates  also  were 
unkind  to  him  and  his  ambitions  in  the  matter  of  the  Presi 
dency,  a  prize  upon  which  he  had  long  set  his  heart,  only 
to  be  mocked  by  repeated  and  cruel  disappointments.  Even 
the  appointment  on  an  embassy  to  England,  which  he  de 
sired  to  have,  was  denied  him;  while  the  many  who  had 
once  acclaimed  him,  and  not  a  few  of  the  friends  who  had 
long  stood  by  him,  had  become  alienated  and  forgetful  of 
his  great  and  manifold  public  services.  To  many  less 
spoiled  by  success  than  was  Daniel  Webster,  these  disap 
points  after  a  great  career  and  a  long,  lauded  life,  now 
bordering  on  the  grave,  would  have  come  as  bitter  and  de 
pressing  assaults  on  one's  magnanimity  and  amour  propre. 
It  would  be  untrue  to  say  that  he  did  not  feel  these  mis 
chances  of  fortune,  or  that  his  great  soul  was  untouched 


82  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

by  their  ungracious  and  unkindly  stings ;  he  did  not,  how 
ever,  publicly  resent  them,  still  less  whine  at  the  disaffection 
and  the  injury  done  him.  It  saddened  him,  no  doubt,  to 
see  little  men  put  in  high  places  who  were  comparatively 
unknown,  who  had  done  little  for  their  kind,  had  not  a 
tithe  of  his  gifts,  and  were  far  his  inferiors  in  those  re 
splendent  virtues  which  he  ever  manifested  and  which  shed 
a  lustre  on  his  time — of  disinterested  patriotism  and  abound 
ing  love  of  country.  Turning  from  this  neglect  and  dis 
appointment,  he  could  hardly  fail,  however,  to  be  inwardly 
consoled  by  the  consciousness  of  having  nobly  and  faith 
fully  served  the  nation  he  loved,  and  done  much  to  commend 
his  memory  to  those  who  can  and  do  appreciate  his  work, 
revere  him  for  his  services,  and  extol  and  admire  his 
genius. 

The  nomination  for  the  Presidency  in  1844  brought  Mr. 
Webster  once  more  into  public  view,  in  taking  part  in  the 
fray.  At  that  time  the  expectant  candidate  was  Tyler,  who 
sought  re-election  but  failed  to  secure  it;  the  others  were 
Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  who  represented  the  Whig  in 
terest,  and  James  K.  Polk,  of  Tennessee,  who  was  the 
standard-bearer  of  the  Democrats.  Though  he  did  not  like 
the  man,  Mr.  Webster  favored  Clay  and  gave  him  his  sup 
port,  on  account  of  the  principles  he  represented ;  but  Polk, 
who  had  been  Speaker  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  was  a  slave-owner,  won  the  election  and  was  installed 
in  office.  Meai.while,  Mr.  Webster,  who  had  regained  his 
relish  for  the  political  strife  and  turmoil  of  the  time,  ac 
cepted  once  more  a  seat  in  the  Senate  and  took  his  place 
there  in  1845.  In  the  following  year,  trouble  broke  out 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  83 

with  Mexico,  over  the  question  of  the  proper  limit  of  that 
Republic  and  that  of  Texas,  and  through  its  own  heedless- 
ness  and  bravado  it  provoked  war  with  the  United  States. 
The  war  was  one  really  of  conquest  and  for  the  acquisition 
of  territory,  and  as  such  it  was  opposed  by  Mr.  Webster, 
in  his  loyal  contention  that  it  was  a  wrong  done  to  the  Con 
stitution.  It  however  brought  about  the  cession  to  the 
United  States  of  all  the  territory  north  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  added  to  the  Union  a  wide  area  of  country,  including 
New  Mexico  and  California.  At  the  same  time,  by  its  vic 
tories  to  our  arms,  it  brought  prominently  into  public  notice 
the  achievements  of  General  Zachary  Taylor  and  Winfield 
Scott,  the  former  of  whom  was  by  the  election  of  1848  made 
President,  while  the  latter  had  the  honor  of  nomination, 
though  unsuccessful  in  his  candidature,  to  the  chief  mag 
istracy  four  years  later. 

At  both  of  these  periods  of  election,  Mr.  Webster's  name 
was  brought  forward,  in  1848  as  the  nominee  with  Taylor, 
though  he  refused  to  allow  his  name  to  appear  for  the 
subordinate  place  in  the  race ;  and  in  1852,  when  he  was 
beaten  by  General  Scott  for  the  Whig  nomination  as  Presi 
dent,  after  fifty-two  successive  ballots  had  been  cast.  As 
it  happened,  neither  of  the  men  won,  victory  being  snatched 
by  the  Democrats,  who  carried  into  the  high  office  the  then 
little  known  Franklin  Pierce,  of  New  Hampshire,  who  had 
been  a  general  in  the  Mexican  war.  These  repeated  slights 
cast  upon  Mr.  Webster,  as  we  have  already  stated,  were 
keenly  felt  by  him,  and  especially  this  last  one,  since  he 
had  allowed  himself  to  feel  certain  at  length  of  grasping 
the  prize.  Just  then,  however,  in  the  midst  of  the  anti- 


84  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

slavery  outburst  of  the  time  and  the  recent  passing  of  the 
hateful  Fugitive  Slave  law,  which  permitted  slave-owners 
to  recover  runaway  slaves,  Mr.  Webster's  hope  of  winning 
the  Presidency  must  have  been  extremely  slight,  particu 
larly  in  view  of  his  own  conciliatory  attitude  towards  slavery 
and  the  South. 

Meanwhile,  the  Presidential  chair  was  filled  by  Millard 
Fillmore,  who  as  Vice-President  under  Zachary  Taylor 
had  succeeded  the  latter  on  that  President's  death,  in  July, 
1850.  By  Mr.  Fillmore,  Webster  had  been  offered  and 
had  accepted  the  Secretaryship  of  State  in  his  administra 
tion,  and  in  doing  so  had  retired  from  his  seat  in  the  Sen 
ate.  Just  previous  to  this,  he  had  delivered  in  the  Senate 
his  much  misinterpreted  "Seventh-of-March  speech,"  which 
though  spoken  in  behalf  of  Conciliation  and  to  prevent  fur 
ther  irritation  of  the  South  and  the  precipitation  of  Seces 
sion,  was  of  course  taken  as  a  compromise  with  slavery,  in 
spite  of  the  fact  that  the  existence  of  the  institution  was 
recognized  and  tolerated  by  the  Constitution.  It  is  true, 
the  Abolitionists,  though  laudably  in  earnest,  were  then 
most  insistent,  and  even  violent,  in  their  denunciations; 
and  public  feeling  against  the  evil  of  slavery  was  at  a  high 
pitch  of  excitement,  contributed  in  no  little  degree,  more 
over,  by  Mrs.  Stowe's  ''Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  published  at 
that  era.  The  Southerners,  therefore,  were  in  no  humor 
to  treat  with  any  degree  of  reason  attacks  upon  their  cher 
ished  institution;  but,  on  the  contrary,  were  ugly  in  their 
mood,  going  so  far  as  to  threaten  Secession.  Hence,  in 
the  crisis,  Mr.  Webster  sought  by  his  speech  to  throw  oil 
on  the  troubled  waters  and  calm  the  irritation  and  resent- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  85 

ment  of  the  South.  Dismemberment  of  the  nation  he  could 
pot  abide,  nor,  as  the  patriot  he  was,  even  reasonably  think 
of,  knowing  to  what  it  must  ultimately  lead ;  and  so,  in  spite 
of  Abolitionist  outcries  and  the  tarnishing  by  them  of  his 
fair  name,  he  took  the  ground  he  did  and  went  on  his  way, 
disregarding  slander  and  contumely,  until  the  end  came, 
which  occurred  at  Marshfield,  October  24,  1852. 

Just  before  this,  Mr.  Webster  had  failed  in  health  visibly, 
worn  out  by  labor  and  by  personal  ailment,  and,  perhaps 
saddest  of  all,  depressed  by  the  great  disappointment  he 
had  met  with  in  his  honorable  ambition  to  become  Presi 
dent,  which,  as  all  know,  was  not  to  be.  A  little  while  be 
fore,  he  had  met  with  a  carriage  accident,  which  painfully 
injured  and  weakened  him ;  and  so  we  find  him  at  his  loved 
home  making  his  will  and  reverently  writing  out  some 
record  of  his  religious  belief,  which  he  desired  to  be  affixed 
to  a  tablet  over  his  grave.  He  died  in  the  faith  of  a  Chris 
tian,  and  his  mortal  remains,  as  they  were  borne  to  the  tomb, 
received  the  tributes  of  a  lamenting  but  greatly  admiring 
people.  Thus  placidly  passed  this  eminent  statesman  and 
eloquent  orator  from  the  scenes  of  earth,  owning  his  faith 
in  a  loving  Redeemer,  and  confidingly  trusting  that  in  the 
Great  Assize  every  act  of  his  will  be  justly  understood,  and 
every  motive  considerately  weighed  and  appraised. 


86  ^  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

ANECDOTES  AND  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

TRIBUTE  TO   HIS  FATHER. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  during  the  Harrison  cam 
paign,  as  during  that  of  Lincoln,  much  prominence  was 
given  to  the  humble  birth  of  the  candidate.  In  Webster's 
address  at  Saratoga  HI  behalf  of  the  Whigs,  he  said: 

"It  did  not  happen  to  me  gentlemen  to  be  born  in  a 
log  cabin,  but  my  elder  brothers  and  sisters  were  born  in 
a  log  cabin,  raised  among  the  snow  drifts  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  at  a  period  so  early,  that  when  the  smoke  first  rose 
from  its  rude  chimney,  and  curled  over  the  frozen  hills, 
there  was  no  similar  evidence  of  a  white  man's  habitation 
between  it  and  the  settlements  on  the  rivers  of  Canada. 

"Its  remains  still  exist.  I  make  to  it  an  annual  visit,  I 
carry  my  children  there,  to  tell  them  of  the  hardships  en 
dured  by  the  generations  which  have  gone  before  them. 
I  love  to  dwell  upon  the  tender  recollections,  the  kindred 
ties,  the  early  affections,  and  the  touching  narratives  and 
incidents  which  mingle  with  all  I  know  of  this  primitive 
family  abode. 

"And  if  ever  I  am  ashamed  of  it,or  if  ever  I  fail  in  affect 
ionate  veneration  for  him  who  reared  it,  defended  it  against 
savage  violence,  and  destruction, — who  cherished  all  do 
mestic  virtues  beneath  its  roof,  if  ever  I  fail  in  affect 
ionate  veneration  for  him,  who  through  the  fire  and  blood 
of  a  seven  years  Revolutionary  war,  shrunk  from  no  dan 
ger,  no  toil,  no  sacrifice,  to  serve  his  country  and  to  raise 
his  children  to  a  condition  better  than  his  own — may  my 
name  be  blotted  forever  from  the  memory  of  mankind." 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  8- 

METHODS  OF  EBENEZER  WEBSTER. 

During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  Captain  Webster 
was  appointed  one  of  the  committee  to  ascertain  how  much 
each  townsman  of  Salisbury  ought  to  contribute  toward 
the  expenses  of  the  war,  and  to  levy  a  proportionate  tax. 

The  richest  man  in  town,  had  done  no  military  duty, 
but  nevertheless  he  declared  that  his  assessment  was  too 
high,  and  he  refused  to  pay  it.  The  committee  waited 
upon  him  in  vain,  but  at  last  Webster  as  their  spokesman 
drew  his  six  feet  of  stature  up  to  its  full  height,  while  his 
wonderful  black  eyes  seemed  to  fairly  look  through  the 
man,  and  with  a  strong  emphasis  in  his  sonorous  voice, 
he  said: 

"Sir,  our  authorties  require  us  to  pay,  and  tight  Now 
you  must  pay  or  fight. ' ' 

The  man  looked  at  the  powerful  figure  before  him,  and 
gave  a  single  glance  into  the  flashing  eyes,  and  this  was 
sufficient,  he  very  promptly  decided  to  pay. 

WEBSTER'S  MOTHER. 

The  mother  of  Daniel  Webster  was  another  instance  in 
illustration  of  the  theory  that  "the  more  mother  a  man 
has  in  him,  the  better  he  is." 

She  was  of  sturdy  New  England  stock,  rich  in  affection, 
Christian  faith  and  sterling  common  sense.  Always  be 
lieving  in  her  boy  she  tenderly  cherished  him  during  a 
feeble  childhood  in  the  firm  faith  that  a  long  and  useful 
life  lay  before  him. 

It  was  thought  at  one  time  that  the  ocean  air  might 
do  him  good  and  although  the  nearest  coast  was  a  long 


88 


DANIEL   WEBSTER. 


way  off,  the  undaunted  mother  took  her  puny  babe  in  her 
arms  and  made  the  journey  on  horseback  even  though 
it  took  several  days  to  accomplish  it. 

Webster  used  often  to  repeat  this  story  and  sometimes 
he  would  exclaim,  "There  was  a  mother  for  you!" 

HOW  THE  STUDENTS  HOOTED  WEBSTER. 

____ James  Russell  Low 
ell  and  some  other 
young  students  of 
American  politics 
did  not  approve  of 
Webster's  course  in 
remaining  in  the  cab 
inet  of  President  Ty 
ler.  WTilliam  Wet- 
more  Story  tells  of 
their  indignation  and 
resolutions  concern 
ing  the  matter  in 
the  following  words: 
"James  Lowell 
and  I  were  very  an 
gry  with  Webster, 
and  as  he  was  to  speak  in  Faneuil  Hall  the  evening  of 
the  3oth  of  September,  1842,  some  of  us  determined  to 
go  in  from  the  Harvard  law  school,  and  hoot  at  him,  to 
show  him  that  he  had  incurred  our  displeasure. 

"There  were  about  three  thousand  people  present,  and 
we  felt  sure  that  they  would  hoot  with  us,  young  as  we 


James  Russell  Lowell. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  89 

were.  But  we  reckoned  without  our  host.  Mr.  Web 
ster  stepped  forward.  His  great  eyes  looked,  as  I  shall 
always  think,  straight  at  nie.  I  pulled  off  my  hat. 
James  pulled  off  his.  We  both  became  as  cold  as  ice, 
and  as  respectful  as  Indian  coolies.  I  saw  James  turn 
pale.  He  said  I  was  livid.  And  when  that  great  crea 
ture  began  that  most  beautiful  exordium,  our  scorn 
turned  to  deepest  admiration — from  abject  contempt,  to 
belief  and  approbation." 

ROMAN  MATRONS. 

Speaking  one  day,  of  the  early  Romans,  Mr.  Webster 
said  that  he  could  almost  believe  everything  related  by 
historians  of  their  extraordinary  virtues,  public  and  do 
mestic,  when  he  dwelt  upon  the  fact  that  though  their 
laws  authorized  divorce,  yet  for  the  first  five  hundred 
years,  no  individual  ever  availed  himself  of  such  a  license. 

"It  was  the  domestic  training"  he  said;  "It  was  the 
mothers  who  made  a  Publicola,  a  Camillus,  and  Coriola- 
nus.  Women  protected  by  the  inviolability  of  the  nup 
tial  bond,  were  invested  with  a  dignity  that  gave  author 
ity  to  instruction,  and  made  the  domestic  hearth  the  nur 
sery  of  heroes. 

"Public  virtue,"  he  said,  "fell  with  private  morality. 
Under  imperial  Rome,  divorces  were  sought  for,  and  ob 
tained  under  the  most  frivolous  pretexts,  and  all  domes 
tic  confidence  was  destroyed.  The  inevitable  consequence 
was  the  loss  of  all  public  morality.  Men  who  had  been 
false  to  their  private  obligations,  would  not  be  true  to 
their  public  duties;  Caesar  divorced  his  wife,  and  betrayed 


90  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

his  country.     The  sanctity  of  the  nuptial  bond,  is,   in 
my  opinion,  one  of  the  principal,  if  not  the  chief  cause 
of  the   superior  refinement,  freedom,  and  prosperity  en 
joyed  at  the  present  time  by  Christian  nations.'- 
LITERARY  STYLE. 

In  reply  to  the  question  concerning  the  formation  of 
his  literary  style,  Daniel  Webster  answered:  uWhen  I 
was  a  young  man,  a  student  in  college,  I  delivered  a  Fourth 
of  July  oration.  My  friends  thought  so  well  of  it  that 
they  requested  a  copy  of  it  for  the  press. 

"It  was  printed,  and  Joseph  Dennie,  a  writer  of  great 
reputation  at  that  time,  wrote  a  review  of  it.  He  praised 
parts  of  the  oration  as  vigorous  and  eloquent;  but  other 
parts,  he  criticised  severely  and  said  that  they  were  mere 
emptiness. 

"I  thought  his  criticism  was  just,  and  I  resolved  that 
whatever  else  should  be  said  of  my  style,  from  that  time 
forth,  there  would  be  no  emptiness  in  it. 

"I  read  such  English  authors  as  fell  in  my  way — par 
ticularly  Addison,  with  great  care.  Besides  I  remembered 
that  I  had  to  earn  my  bread  by  addressing  the  understand 
ing  of  common  men — by  convincing  juries,  and  that  I 
must  use  language  perfectly  intelligible  to  them.  You 
will  find  therefore,  in  my  speeches  to  juries,  no  hard 
words,  no  Latin  phrase. 

1  *I  early  felt  the  importance  of  thought.  I  have  rewrit 
ten  sentence  after  sentence  and  pondered  long  upon  each 
alteration.  For  depend  upon  it,  it  is  with  our  thoughts 
as  with  our  persons — their  intrinsic  value  is  mostly  un 
dervalued  unless  expressed  in  attractive  garb. 


;  ***£- 

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a^£^*£^ 


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& 


t^^-O^ 


Reduced  Fac -Simile  of  the  Original  Manuscript  of  Webster's  Speech  in 

the  Senate  Regarding  the  Reduction  of  the  Supreme  ana 

Circuit  Judges  of  the  U.  S.  Courts. 


92  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

"Longinus  tells  us  that  the  most  sublime  passage  to  be 
found  in  any  language  is  this:  'And  God  said,  Let  there 
be  light  and  there  was  light'— the  greatest  effort  of  pow 
er  in  the  tersest  and  fewest  words — the  command  and  the 
record,  one  exertion  of  thought.  So  should  we  all  aim 
to  express  things  in  words." 

Again  he  says:  "From  the  time  that  at  my  mother's 
feet,  or  on  my  father's  knees  I  first  learned  to  lisp  verses 
from  the  Sacred  Writings,  they  have  been  my  daily  study 
and  vigilant  contemplation. 

"If  there  be  anything  in  my  style  or  thoughts  worthy  to 
be  commended,  the  credit  is  due  to  my  parents,  for  in 
stilling  into  my  mind  an  early  love  for  the  scriptures." 

FAVORITE  STUDIES. 

Mr.  Webster  was  fond  of  some  of  the  Latin  authors,  and 
one  day  he  read  to  his  friend  Professor  Felton  several 
pages  from  Cicero's  DC  Natura  Dcorum.  He  chose  that 
portion  of  the  dialogue  in  which  one  of  the  speakers 
discourses  most  eloquently  on  the  Divine  Being,  and  in 
refutation  of  the  Epicurean  philosophy. 

'The  deep  feeling,  and  the  earnest  tone,"  writes  Felton, 
"with  which  he  read  the  harmonious  Latin  sentences  of 
the  great  Roman  gave  the  fullest  meaning  to  these  im 
mortal  speculations;  and  recommending  the  passage  to 
the  careful  study  of  his  guest,  he  closed  the  volume  and 
retired." 

In  subsequent  conversation,  Mr.  Webster  spoke  of  his 
love  of  science,  and  the  attention  he  had  bestowed  upon 
it,  in  the  fragments  of  time  snatched  from  other  and  more 
absorbing  pursuits. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  93 

His  knowledge  of  geology  was  quite  extensive,  and  he 
had  studied  the  principal  works  on  this  subject  in  connec 
tion  with  trips  which  were  made  through  interesting  ge 
ological  regions.  He  had  also  employed  a  competent 
scholar  to  make  a  collection  of  specimens  for  him,  arrang 
ing  them  on  the  shelves  in  the  order  of  the  successive 
layers  of  the  crust  of  the  earth,  in  order  that  while  study 
ing  in  his  library,  he  might  see  before  him  the  arrange 
ment  of  Nature. 

Among  the  books  which  occupied  his  thoughts  largely 
during  the  last  year  of  his  life,  Humboldt's  "Cosmos"  held 
a  prominent  place.  He  had  read  it  through,  carefully 
noting  its  contents.  He  quoted  passages  from  it,  with 
expressions  of  admiration  for  their  scientific  precision  and 
poetic  beauty.  His  general  remarks  upon  the  plan  and 
details  of  the  work,  showed  that  he  fully  appreciated  it. 

He  spoke  with  regret  of  the  fact  that  he  had  so  seldom 
enjoyed  for  any  length  of  time,  the  society  of  scientific 
and  literary  men.  "I  have  kept  very  bad  company,"  he 
laughingly  said,ul  have  lived  among  lawyers,  and  judges, 
jurymen  and  politicians,  when  I  should  have  lived  with 
Nature  and  in  company  with  students  of  Nature." 

FORGIVENESS. 

Mr.  Webster's  secretary,  G.  J.  Abbott,  while  with  him 
at  Marshfield  during  his  last  illness,  writes  to  a  friend 
under  date  of  September  12,  of  a  stormy  Sunday  in  the 
great  house. 

"This  day  has  been  stormy,  and  we  did  not  go  to 
church.  This  morning,  when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Webster, 


94  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

with  their  guests  and  servants,  had  assembled  in  the  li 
brary  for  family  prayers,  Mr.  Webster  looked  so  weak  and 
feeble  that,  Mrs.  Webster  asked  if  I  should  not  read  the 
chapter. 

"He  preferred  reading  himself, and  selected  that  beauti 
ful  chapter  of  St.  Luke,  the  sixth,  which  contains  a  part 
of  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount.  His  reading  of  the  Scrip 
tures  is  grand,  slow,  distinct,  impressive,  giving  new  force 
to  every  sentence. 

"When  he  came  to  those  verses  which  follow  the  twenty- 
sixth,  it  seemed  as  if  they  were  the  expression  of  his 
own  inmost  feelings. 

"After  each  clause  of  these  verses  which  he  read — "But 
I  say  unto  you  which  hear,  Love  your  enemies,  do  good 
to  them  which  hate  you,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  and 
pray  for  them  which  despitefully  use  you" — he  paused, 
as  if  he  were  asking  himself  the  question,  whether  he 
read  these  words,  in  the  spirit  of  Him  who  first  uttered 
them,  and  exhibited  in  his  own  life  and  example,  their 
practical  application. 

"There  was  a  triumphant  tone,  as  he  finished  the 
verses,  as  though  he  had  heartily  forgiven  those  who  had 
spoken  ill  of  him,  and  who  had  despitefully  used  him. 
I  was  particularly  struck  by  it  as  several  of  the  Whig 
papers  have  been  abusing  him  in  very  coarse  terms,  and 
he  had  doubtless  seen  them. 

"You  have  often  heard  me  speak  of  his  courtesy  both 
in  the  Senate,  and  the  Department,  to  those  who  were 
politically  opposed  to  him,  and  of  the  directions  which 
he  so  frequently  gave  to  those  who  were  intrusted  with 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  95 

the  preparation  of  his  works  for  the  press  to  omit  or 
modify,  where  it  could  be  done  with  propriety,  all  those 
passages  in  which  he  had  spoken  of  others  with  undue 
severity — giving  as  a  reason  that  he  did  not  wish  to  per 
petuate  the  remembrance  of  unpleasant  personal,  or  par 
ty  contests. 

"Even  after  the  disappointment  of  his  hopes  at  Balti 
more,  he  has  never  permitted  himself  to  speak  harshly  or 
unkindly  of  those  from  whom  he  had  a  right  to  expect 
support.  He  has  rarely  alluded  to  the  doings  of  the  con 
vention,  or  of  those  who  took  part  in  them.  The  sever 
est  expression  which  I  ever  heard  him'  use  in  regard  to 
them  was,  'I  shall  be  in— soon,  and  shall  see  these  gen 
tlemen,  and  think  it  is  about  time  to  shake  hands  with 
some  of  them  and  part;  with  others,  I  can  part  without 
shaking  hands.' 

"But  of  one  for  whom  he  had  always  manifested  a  pa 
ternal  regard,  whose  course  had  bitterly  disappointed 
him,  he  remarked  with  deepest  emotion,  'That  cut  me 
to  the  heart.'  " 

WEBSTER    AND    PINKNEY. 

William  Pinkney  was  the  acknowledged  head,  and 
leader  of  the  American  bar,  when  Webster  was  admitted 
to  practice  before  the  Supreme  Court  at  Washington. 
Like  many  another  great  man  he  had  been  largely 
spoiled  by  praise,  and  by  the  fact  that  when  the  lesser 
lights  had  very  important  cases  before  the  Supreme 
Court,  they  would  employ  him  to  take  their  briefs,  and 
argue  their  cases — they  doing  the  work,  and  he  getting 
the  greater  portion  of  the  reward. 


96  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

He  probably  expected  Webster  to  pursue  the  same 
course,  but  he  went  along  the  even  tenor  of  his  way, 
pleading  his  own  cases, until  Pinkney  began  to  treat  him 
with  contempt,  which  was  scarcely  veiled  even  in  the 
presence  of  the  judges  of  that  august  tribunal. 

In  one  case  where  Pinkney  was  against  him,  this  inso 
lence  of  manner  and  speech  became  more  pronounced,  so 
much  so,  that  Webster  had  hard  work  to  control  his  tem 
per  even  in  court.  He  did  so  however,  the  incident  was 
passed,  but  the  case  was  not  finished,  when  the  court 
was  adjourned  until  the  next  morning. 

Mr.  Pinkney  who  wras  somewhat  dudish  in  his  dress, 
took  his  whip  and  gloves,  threw  his  handsome  cloak  over 
his  arm  and  began  to  saunter  away,  when  Webster  went 
up  to  him,  and  said  very  calmly,  "Can  I  see  you  alone  in 
one  of  the  lobbies?' ' 

He  replied,  "Certainly,"  probably  thinking  that  the 
time  had  come  when  he  was  to  be  sought  for  help,  as  his 
great  position  demanded. 

They  passed  to  one  of  the  grand  jury  rooms,  which 
was  remote  from  the  main  court  room,  and  finding  it  emp 
ty,  went  in.  Unobserved  by  Pinkney,  WTebster  turned 
the  key  and  taking  it  out  of  the  lock,  placed  it  in  his 
pocket.  Then  advancing  toward  him,  he  said: 

"Mr.  Pinkney, you  grossly  insulted  me  this  morning  in 
the  court  room,  and  not  for  the  first  time,  either.  In 
deference  to  your  position,  and  to  the  respect  which  I 
have  for  the  court,  I  did  not  answer  you  on  the  spot,  as 
I  was  tempted  to  do." 

He  began   to  deny  it,  but  Webster  continued;  "You 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  97 

know  you  did — dont  add  another  sin  to  that.  Don't  deny 
it;  you  know  you  did  it,  and  you  know  it  was  premedi 
tated.  It  was  deliberate,  it  was  purposely  done,  and  if 
you  deny  it,  you  tell  an  untruth/' 

"Now,"  he  continued,  "I  am  here  to  say  to  you  once 
for  all,  that  you  must  ask  my  pardon,  and  go  into  court 
tomorrow,  and  repeat  the  apology,  or  else,  either  you  or  I, 
will  go  out  of  this  room  in  a  different  condition  from  that 
in  which  we  entered  it." 

Pinkney  looked  up  into  the  blazing  eyes,  he  quickly 
took  in  the  magnificent  physical  proportions  of  the  man 
before  him,  and  trembling,  attempted  again  to  explain. 

"There  is  no  other  course,"  said  Webster,  "I  have  the 
key  of  this  room  in  my  pocket,  and  you  must  apologize 
or  take  what  I  give  you." 

The  apology  now  was  promptly  made,  and  the  promise 
was  reluctantly  given  that  it  would  be  repeated  in  court 
the  next  morning,  then  Webster  unlocked  the  door  and 
they  passed  out. 

He  did  make  the  promised-  apology  in  public  and  be 
fore  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  after  which  he 
treated  Daniel  Webster  with  the  greatest  respect  and 
consideration. 

WEBSTER  AND   VAN   BUREN. 

Mr.  Webster  always  treated  the  bench  with  that  studied 
deference  which  judges,  by  virtue  of  their  position  have 
a  right  to  expect  from  attorneys.  On  one  occasion,  when 
he  was  engaged  in  a  case  in  a  New  York  court  he  was 
preceded  by  John  Van  Buren. 

In  the  course  of  his  speech  Van  Buren,  rather  flippant- 


98  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

ly  congratulated  the  court  on  "yielding  to  the  popular  in* 
pulses  of  the  day." 

Webster  began  his  address  by  complimenting  his  op 
ponent  on  "the  talent  and  legal  knowledge  of  his  ad 
dress,"  but  went  on  to  speak  with  strong  disapprobation 
of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  remark  about  "yielding  to  popular 
impulses."  "This,"  said  he,"may  be  a  compliment;  but 
it  is  a  compliment,  which  I  would  not  address  to  this 
court,  nor  to  any  other,  for  which  I  entertained  feelings 
of  respect. " 

JUSTICE. 

Webster  was  fair  with  his  opponents,  and  accorded 
them  their  dues  in  private  as  well  as  upon  the  rostrum. 

"Rusk  of  Texas,"  he  said  "I  consider  the  strongest  man 
in  the  United  States  on  the  Democratic  side.  He  is  no 
spouter,  but  he  acts,  and  you  can  rely  on  what  he  says. 

"He  will  stand  without  being  tied,  and  you  will  find 
him  where  you  left  him.  He  has  all  of  Achilles'  hatred 
of  double  dealing. 

"He  who  can  think  one  thing,  and  another  tell, 
My  soul  detests  him  as  the  gates  of  hell." 

"It  is  impossible  continued  Webster  for  me  to  feel  the 
least  acerbity  toward  such  men  as  Rusk,  Cass,  Foote  and 
Dickenson. 

We  have  stood  by  each  other  in  a  time  of  greatest  mo 
ment  to  myself,  as  well  as  of  danger  to  the  Union  of  these 
States,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  I  can  never  forget  or  refuse 
to  acknowledge  their  important  and  vital  aid." 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  99 

.    \ 

WEBSTER  INTRODUCED  TO  THE  CONSTITUTION. 

Fortunately  the  Great  Expounder  has  left  an  authentic 
record  of  the  earlier  years  and  beginnings  of  his  life.  How, 
then,  did  he  first  hear  of  that  constitution  which  he  so 
eloquently  expounded  and  defended!  In  the  young  boy 
hood  days  of  Daniel  Webster,  cotton  cloth  was  cheaper  than 
paper  and  the  manufacturers  of  that  time,  who  were  patriots 
as  well  as  business  men,  were  in  the  habit  of  printing  upon 
handkerchiefs  such  documents  as  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence,  Washington's  Farewell  Address  and  the  Consti 
tution  of  the  United  States.  All  country  storekeepers  car 
ried  quite  a  line  of  these  printed  cotton  handkerchiefs,  and 
Daniel's  father,  good  sturdy  legislator,  judge  and  citizen 
that  he  was,  heartily  approved  of  such  business  methods. 
Now,  when  pale,  studious  little  Daniel,  with  the  large  head 
and  the  wonderful  eyes,  was  about  eight  years  old,  he  had 
collected  twenty-five  cents  by  helping  his  father  at  the  old 
sawmill,  or  by  choring  around  the  house.  Chancing  one 
day  to  wander  into  the  little  shop  kept  by  the  schoolmaster 
of  Salisbury,  William  Hoyt,  he  saw  among  a  varied  assort 
ment  of  articles,  a  small  cotton  pocket  handkerchief  with 
printing  on  its  two  sides.  Liking  its  general  appearance  he 
bought  it.  "From  this,"  he  says,  "I  learned  either  that  there 
was  a  constitution,  or  that  there  were  thirteen  states.  I  re 
member  to  have  read  it,  and  have  known  more  or  less  of  it 
ever  since."  Speaking  of  the  man  who  thus  first  threw  the 
constitution  in  his  way,  Mr.  Webster  adds  that  "he  was  an 
austere  man,  but  a  good  teacher  of  children.  He  had  been 
a  printer  in  Newburyport,  wrote  a  very  fair  hand,  was  a 
good  reader  and  did  teach  boys  that  which  so  few  masters 


loo  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

can  or  will  do,  to  read  well  themselves.  Beyond  this,  and 
perhaps  a  very  slight  knowledge  of  grammar,  his  attain 
ments  did  not  extend.  He  rather  loved  money,  of  all  the 
cases  of  nouns  preferring  the  possessive." 

PREFERS   WHORTLEBERRYING  TO    HAYING. 

Now,  although  Daniel  was  a  whole-souled  boy  and  after 
ward  proved  to  be  upon  several  occasions  the  mainstay  of 
his  father's  finances,  he  did  not  like  the  grind  of  farm- 
work.  This  dislike  grew  upon  him  as  he  entered  the  heroics 
of  the  Greek  and  Latin  classics,  in  preparation  for  college. 
When  he  was  fifteen  and  attending  Dr.  Wood's  academy, 
at  Boscawen,  six  miles  from  home,  his  father  sent  for  him 
in  haying  time.  Like  a  good  son  he  came,  his  father  put 
ting  him  into  a  field  to  turn  hay  and  leaving  him  there. 
After  working  some  time,  Daniel  found  it  pretty  lonesome 
and  very  dull.  So  he  walked  home  and  asked  his  sister 
Sally  if  she  did  not  want  to  go  whortleberrying.  She  did, 
of  course.  So  her  big  brother -got  some  horses,  saddled 
them,  and  the  two  had  a  good  time  berrying  until  late  at 
night.  Daniel  went  to  bed  before  his  father's  return  and 
when  he  awoke  the  next  morning  found  all  the  clothes  he 
had  brought  from  Dr.  Wood's  tied  up  in  a  small  bundle 
again.  His  father  asked  him  how  he  liked  haying  and 
Daniel  told  him  that  he  "found  it  pretty  dull  and  lonesome 
yesterday." 

"Well,"  said  the  father,  "I  believe  you  may  as  well  go 
back  to  Dr.  Woods." 

So  the  boy  took  his  bundle  under  his  arm,  meeting  on  his 
way  a  village  lawyer  who  knew  Daniel  and  his  father  well. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  101 

The  attorney  laughed  heartily  when  he  saw  the  demure 
Daniel  and  learned  of  his  destination.  "So,"  said  he,  "your 
farming  is  over,  is  it?" 

The  truth  of  the  matter  was  that  Judge  Webster  had 
come  to  believe  with  his  good  wife  that  Daniel  would  sure 
ly  "come  to  something  or  nothing,"  and  all  through  life  his 
plan  was  to  lay  courses  of  action  before  him  rather  than 
to  advise  a  choice.  So  the  boy  went  back  to  Dr.  Woods 
and  a  few  months  thereafter  was  a  freshman  at  Dartmouth 
college. 

HOW    DANIEL    WENT     HUNTING. 

The  mixture  of  intellectuality  and  love  of  mother  earth 
was  a  fortunate  combination  in  Daniel  Webster's  make-up, 
insuring  that  richness  and  strength  which  marked  his  ma 
turity.  This  close  and  intense  contact  with  nature  not  only 
was  a  continuous  charging  of  his  body  with  vigor,  but  with 
that  electrical  something  which  reacts  upon  the  entire  tem 
perament  and  permeates  it  with  a, mysterious  combination 
of  soul  and  body  known  as  fascination,  and  which  Daniel 
Webster,  from  infancy  to  death,  possessed  in  a  superlative 
degree.  His  able  and  conscientious  tutor,  the  Dr.  Woods 
already  mentioned,  failed  to  see  in  this  earthy  tendency  of 
his  brilliant  pupil  a  saving  grace,  for  the  lack  of  which  not 
a  few  delicate  minds  and  souls  are  doomed  to  decay  before 
they  become  ripe.  Upon  one  occasion  he  scolded  the  boy 
for  roving  too  much  over  the  hills  and  along  the  streams 
with  his  gun  and  rod.  He  admitted  that  Daniel  was  smart, 
but  this  would  never  do;  the  reverend  tutor  did  not  feel 
justified  in  taking  a  dollar  a  week  for  fitting  him  for  col 
lege  and  allowing  him  to  waste  so  much  time  away  from 


102  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

his  books.  The  scholar  took  the  reprimand  in  the  even 
fashion  which  was  characteristic,  but  instead  of  arguing 
the  matter  doubtless  determined,  through  his  own  devices 
and  with  his  master's  consent,  to  rub  up  against  the  old 
life-giving  hills  the  very  next  day.  Dr.  Woods  had  an  en 
gagement  for  the  following  morning.  That  Daniel  knew. 
His  task  for  the  morning  was  one  hundred  lines  of  Virgil. 
He  sat  up  the  entire  night  studying,  although  marvelous 
stories  are  told  of  his  memory  and  general  mental  aptness. 
The  recitation  hour  at  length  arrived  and  Daniel  spun  off 
his  hundred  lines  in  a  way  which  earned  him  high  praise. 

The  Doctor  arose  to  fill  his  engagement. 

"But  I  have  a  few  more  lines  that  I  can  recite,"  said  the 
boy  Daniel. 

"Well,  let  us  have  them,"  replied  the  Doctor;  and  forth 
with  the  boy  reeled  off  another  hundred  lines. 

"Very  remarkable/'  said  the  Doctor.  "You  are  indeed  a 
smart  boy." 

"But  I  have  another,"  continued  the  scholar,  "and  five 
hundred  of  them,  if  you  please." 

The  Doctor  was  astonished,  but  became  more  and  more 
uneasy  about  his  engagement.  He  therefore  begged  to 
be  excused  and  concluded,  to  Daniel's  great  satisfaction, 
"You  may  have  the  whole  day,  Dan,  for  pigeon-shooting." 

The  above  is  on  the  authority  of  Charles  Lanman,  for 
many  years  the  great  statesman's  intimate  friend  and  pri 
vate  secretary. 

MUTUAL  ADMIRATION  SOCIETY  OF  TWO. 

While  practicing  law  in  Portsmouth,  at  the  outset  of  hit 
iegal  career,  Mr.  Webster's  strongest  competitor  was  Jere- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  103 

miah  Mason,  perhaps  then  the  leader  of  the  New  Hamp 
shire  bar  and  one  of  the  greatest  criminal  lawyers  in  the 
country.  They  were  lifelong  friends,  despite  this  early 
legal  rivalry,  and  each  had  unbounded  admiration  for  the 
other's  powers.  Years  after,  when  Mr.  Webster  had  known 
Choate  and  Pinckney  and  Marshall  and  other  brilliant  and 
profound  men,  he  wrote  of  his  friend :  "If  there  be  in  the 
country  a  stronger  intellect,  if  there  be  a  mind  of  more 
native  resources,  if  there  be  a  vision  that  sees  quicker,  or 
sees  deeper  into  whatever  is  intricate,  or  whatsoever  is  pro 
found,  I  must  confess  I  have  not  known  it."  In  fact,  the 
nine  years  that  the  young  and  the  older  lawyer  crossed  the 
lances  of  the  law  at  Portsmouth  marked  a  period  of  disci 
pline  for  at  least  Daniel  Webster,  and  went  far  toward  cul 
ling  away  the  redundancy  of  his  collegiate  style  of  oratory 
and  fashioning  it  to  the  concise,  solid,  mighty  Anglo-Saxon 
swing  which  afterward  did  so  much  to  bring  him  fame. 
It  was  during  this  formative  period  of  his  life  that  a  gen 
tleman  called  upon  Webster  to  engage  his  professional  ser 
vices.  Being  unable  to  take  any  more  cases  he  referred  the 
man  to  Mr.  Mason.  Asked  concerning  the  abilities  of  the 
latter,  the  young  lawyer  answered  that  he  considered  them 
second  to  none  in  the  country.  The  gentleman  thereupon 
called  upon  Mr.  Mason  and  engaged  him.  Feeling  curious 
to  know  Mr.  Mason's  opinion  of  Mr.  Webster,  he  put  the 
question.  "He's  the  very  devil  in  any  case  whatever,"  re 
plied  Mr.  Mason,  "and  if  he's  against  you,  I  beg  to  be  ex 
cused." 


104  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

NEVER    KNEW    THE    VALUE    OF    MONEY  (?). 

So  Daniel  Webster  never  knew  the  value  of  money !  Hie 
statement  has  been  made  so  many  times,  without  the  quali 
fying  "so"  and  the  implied  doubt  marked  by  the  interjec 
tion,  that  it  has  been  accepted  as  a  self-evident  truth.  It 
is  known  that  although  he  was  the  owner  of  two  great 
farms  in  the  East  and  invested  extensively  in  Western 
lands,  having,  in  fact,  the  ambition  to  become  an  agricul 
tural  lord  of  the  West,  he  generally  kept  his  accounts  in 
his  head  or  on  floating  scraps  of  paper,  having  only  a  gen 
eral  idea  of  his  own  financial  status. 

^When  Webster  was  first  proposed  for  Congress  in  1813, 
he  was  still  a  young,  brilliant,  struggling  lawyer,  too  poor 
as  he  at  first  thought  to  accept  the  honor.  Through  his 
friend,  Judge  Smith,  of  the  New  Hampshire  Superior 
Court,  he  declined  it  and  left  Exeter  for  his  home  in  Ports 
mouth.  On  his  way  he  changed  his  mind,  writing  to  his 
judicial  friend  and  admirer,  "As  to  the  law,  I  must  attend 
to  that,  too.  But  honor,  after  all,  is  worth  more  than 
money." 

"The  impudent  dog  that  he  is,"  said  Judge  Smith  after 
wards.  "He  does  not  know  the  value  of  money  and  never 
will.  No  matter;  he  was  born  for  something  better  than 
hoarding  money-bags." 

As  bearing  out  Judge  Smith's  statement,  Judge  Liver- 
more,  another  friend  and  former  Chief  Justice  of  the  New 
Hampshire  State  Supreme  Court,  relates  an  incident  which 
fell  in  this  period  of  Webster's  first  Congressional  term, 
when  his  dear  legal  mentor,  Jeremiah  Mason,  was  also  a 
member  of  the  upper  house.  It  seems  that  he  and  Mr. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  105 

Mason  carried  their  families  with  them  and,  boarding  to 
gether,  kept  a  carriage  between  them.  It  was  necessary  to 
erect  a  small  building  for  the  vehicle,  and  at  the  close  of 
the  session  the  landlord  told  Mr.  Webster  that  the  shed 
must  be  removed,  as  the  room  was  wanted  for  other  pur 
poses  in  the  summer. 

"Well,"  said  Webster,  "remove  it  when  you  please.  It 
is  of  no  further  use  to  us.  If  it  is  worth  anything  to  you, 
you  are  welcome  to  it." 

The  landlord  overwhelmed  him  with  thanks  for  his  liber 
ality,  and  was  about  leaving  the  room,  when  it  occurred  to 
Mr.  Webster  that  the  building  belonged  in  part  to  Mr. 
Mason.  He  therefore  told  the  man  to  go  for  Mr.  Mason's 
orders  on  the  subject. 

"You  may  take  down  the  shed,"  said  the  latter  and  sell 
the  materials  either  at  auction  or  private  sale  and  account 
to  me  for  the^proceeds.  But  this  is  no  time  to  dispose  of  it 
to  advantage,  when  everybody  is  selling  out  at  the  close  of 
the  session.  Wait  awhile  till  it  will  bring  a  fair  price  and 
I  will  settle  with  you  for  it  next  winter." 

Judge  Livermore  thus  pointed  the  moral :  "Here  was  a 
fair  sample  of  Webster's  carelessness  and  Mason's  prudence 
—of  Webster's  liberality  and  Mason's  thrift.  Webster 
thought  nothing  of  a  few  old  joists  and  boards,  which 
having  served  his  purpose  were  to  be  thrown  aside  as  worth 
less.  Mason  not  only  thought  of  what  they  were  worth, 
but  when  they  could  be  sold  to  the  best  advantage.  The 
anecdote  is  characteristic  of  the  men — the  one  careless  or 
indifferent  in  money  matters ;  the  other  not  mean  or  sordid, 
but  aware  of  his  rights  and  attentive  to  his  interests." 


io6  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

In  this  sense,  to  say  nothing  of  hoarding  bags  of  gold, 
Webster  never  knew  the  value  of  money ;  but  if  the  value 
of  money  consists  in  doing  all  you  can  with  it  to  forward 
the  happiness  of  those  around  you ;  to  oil  the  creaking, 
groaning  wheels  of  poverty  and  misfortune ;  to  use  it  in 
such  a  way  that  thousands  will  echo  the  murmur  of  the  poor 
rustic  over  the  bier  of  the  careless  giant,  "Daniel  Webster, 
the  world,  without  you,  will  seem  lonesome" — if  the  value  of 
money  consists  in  making  it  a  medium  of  peace  on  earth  and 
good  will  to  men,  then  Daniel  Webster  knew  its  value  fully. 

REHEARSES    HIS    BUNKER    HILL    SPEECH. 

By  his  own  admission,  many  of  Webster's  celebrated 
speeches  were  prepared  amid  woods,  mountains  and  streams. 
His  first  and  most  famous  Bunker  Hill  address  was  born  in 
great  part  while  he  was  wading  through  a  rapid  trout  stream, 
known  as  Marshpee  River,  near  his  Marshfield  home.  Its 
high  steep  banks  are  thickly  wooded,  and  the  only  way  to 
catch  trout  is  to  wade  and  angle  for  them  under  the  banks. 
One  day  after  Mr.  Webster  had  been  invited  to  deliver  the 
address,  his  eldest  son  Fletcher  and  another  fellow  fisher 
man  were  wading  through  this  picturesque  stream,  when 
the  two  noticed  that  the  usually  skillful  statesman  angler 
was  allowing  his  hook  to  be  caught  by  overhanging  twigs 
or  floating  grass  and,  by  his  indifference  and  carelessness, 
quite  destroying  his  fame  as  a  fisherman.  With  his  head 
well  up  so  that  he  appeared  to  be  gazing  at  the  overhanging 
trees,  Mr.  Webster  now  advanced  one  foot  through  the 
foaming  water,  extended  his  right  hand  and  impressively 
said :  "Venerable  men !  vou  have  come  down  to  us  from  a 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  IO7 

former    generation.     Heaven    has    bounteously    lengthened 
out  you  lives  that  you  might  behold  this  joyous  day." 

It  was  upon  this  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  Bunker 
Hill  monument  that  he  also  delivered  the  address  of  wel 
come  to  LaFayette.  The  day  before  he  was  out  in  his  fish 
ing  yacht  with  some  friends.  Luck  had  been  against  the 
fishermen  until  Mr.  Webster  hooked  a  massive  cod,  and  as 
he  hauled  it  in  he  exclaimed  heartily,  "Welcome !  all  hail ! 
and  thrice  welcome,  citizen  of  two  hemispheres !" 

WEBSTER   AS   A   COMMON    CARRIER. 

A  mark  of  genius  of  the  versatile  kind  is  adaptability, 
the  result  of  fine  sympathy,  and  that  Webster  possessed  in 
a  large  degree.  His  whole  soul  was,  as  a  rule,  with  the 
present  and  the  people  around  him.  In  the  home  circle  his 
laugh  was  hearty,  boyish  and  contagious,  and  even  when  his 
wonderful  lips  were  closed,  his  luminous  eyes  and  kindly 
smile  were  loadstones  which  none  could  resist.  At  Mans 
field  he  was  the  farmer,  with  slouch  hat  and  loose  coat ;  the 
stiff  dignity  and  frock  coat  of  the  Senate  had  been  neatly 
shed.  Both  here  and  at  Elms  Farm,  affairs  political  were 
never  discussed.  He  was  either  a  statesman,  a  farmer  or 
an  angler,  but  never  a  composite,  and,  like  an  epicure,  relig 
iously  declined  to  mix  his  courses.  This  he  did,  naturally, 
at  the  risk  of  being  mistaken  by  strangers  for  some  minor 
figure  in  the  world,  and  that  risk  he  readily  assumed  be 
cause  of  the  vast  amusement  which  he  often  derived  from 
the  situation. 

For  many  years  Mr.  Webster's  quite  constant  companion 
at  Marshfield,  whether  hooking  cod  or  shooting  ducks,  was 
Seth  Peterson,  a  quaint  red-faced  old  salt,  a  lobster  fisher- 


io8  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

man  by  occupation.  Seth  was  generally  attired  in  a  dun- 
colored  shirt  and  a  patched  nondescript  pair  of  pants,  the 
weather-beaten  condition  of  his  garments  corresponding  ad 
mirably  with  the  aspect  of  his  countenance.  But  he  was 
a  fine  boatman  and  sportsman  with  original  ideas  and  a 
vocabulary  all  his  own,  so  that  he  and  Mr.  Webster  were 
boon  companions,  and  to  see  them  together  a  stranger  would 
never  dream  but  that  they  were  on  a  perfect  intellectual 
plane.  Upon  one  occasion  they  were  tramping  over  the 
Marshfield  meadows  hunting  ducks  when  they  met  a  couple 
of  Boston  gentlemen  who  neither  wished  to  get  dirty  in 
crossing  a  bog  or  to  use  their  legs  in  going  around  it.  Look 
ing  the  two  supposed  rustics  well  over,  the  Bostonians  fixed 
upon  Mr.  Webster  as  the  strongest  and  best  natured,  offer 
ing  him  a  quarter  of  a  dollar  apiece  if  he  would  take  them 
across  the  bog  on  his  back.  To  this  proposition  Mr.  Web 
ster  solemnly  agreed  and  after  he  had  done  his  work  fairly 
as  a  pack-horse  and  received  his  money,  his  riders  inquired 
if  "old  Webster  was  at  home."  They  had  bagged  no  game, 
and  rather  than  have  the  day  spoiled  entirely  they  would 
honor  him  with  a  call.  The  carrier  replied  that  old  Web 
ster  would  be  at  home  as  soon  as  he  could  walk  to  the 
house  and  would  be  glad  to  see  them  at  dinner.  But  the 
gentlemen  from  Boston  decided  to  try  their  luck  further  at 
duck-shooting. 

BOTH    RELIEVED. 

When  Mr.  Webster's  mind  was  filled  with  business  of 
statecraft,  his  expression  was  sometimes  stern  and  forbid 
ding;  hence,  the  story  told  of  a  night  ride  by  wagon  which 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  109 

he  once  took  from  Baltimore  to  Washington.  The  driver 
was  a  disreputable  looking  fellow  and  worked  most  ter 
ribly  upon  his  passenger's  nerves  by  telling  numerous  tales 
of  harrowing  murders  and  robberies.  At  length,  as  he 
stopped  in  a  dense  wood,  Mr.  Webster's  blood  was  frozen, 
especially  as  the  man  turned  suddenly  upon  him  with, 
"Now,  sir,  tell  me  who  you  are." 

With  his  hands  upon  the  sides  of  the  wagon  ready  for  a 
spring,  Mr.  Webster  faltered,  "I  am  Daniel  Webster,  mem 
ber  of  Congress  from  Massachusetts!" 

"What!"  the  driver  replied,  grasping  him  by  the  hand, 
"are  you  Webster  ?  Thank  God  !  Thank  God  !  You  were 
such  a  deuced  ugly-looking  chap  that  I  took  you  for  a  cut 
throat."  Mutual  relief  and  explanations. 

This  is  a  story  that  Mr.  Webster  hugely  enjoyed  telling. 

PANIC   CAUSED  BY  OFFICE-SEEKER. 

Apropos  of  Mr.  Webster's  fixed  purpose  to  bar  out  all 
political  affairs  from  his  home  life,  is  the  tale  that  while  off 
Marshfield  fishing  for  mackerel  with  Commodore  Peterson, 
he  noticed  a  stranger  sail  rapidly  bearing  down  upon  them. 
Seth  confirmed  him  in  his  belief  that  this  was  no  neighbor 
hood  boat,  whereupon  Mr.  Webster  asked  his  friend  how 
their  smack  could  sail  the  fastest. 

"With  her  eye  toward  Halifax,"  answered  Seth. 

"It's  a  hard  case,  Skipper,"  returned  Webster.  "But  head 
her  for  Halifax  as  fast  as  you  can,  for  the  master  of  that 
sail  is  an  office-seeker." 

And  as  a  matter-of-fact  it  afterwards  proved  that  the 
fears  of  the  Secretary  of  State  were  well  founded. 


no  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

WEBSTER  AS  A  LOVER  OF  CATTLE. 

Elms  Farm  was  about  three  miles  from  Webster's  birth 
place,  a  hilly,  grazing*  tract  of  a  thousand  acres,  lying  on  the 
Merrimack  River,  with  the  rugged  mountains  of  New 
Hampshire  and  Vermont  within  eyesight.  Here  was  pass 
ed  much  of  his  youthful  life.  Through  the  deaths  of  father 
and  brother  the  farm  descended  to  him.  To  Elms  Farnvto 
its  magnificent  cattle  and  to  gigantic  John  Taylor,  its  warm, 
faithful,  practical  superintendent  and  his  friend  and  tenant, 
Daniel  Webster  often  turned  wearily  from  affairs  of  state. 
The  correspondence  which  passed  between  the  senator  and 
his  humble  tenant  is  between  man  and  man  and  throws 
a  homely  light  upon  greatness.  For  instance,  while  Mr. 
Webster  was  in  the  midst  of  the  exciting  Harrison  cam 
paign  of  1840,  burdened  with  his  Senatorial  duties,  besieged 
on  all  sides  for  campaign  speeches,  slated  for  a  cabinet  po 
sition  in  case  of  a  Whig  victory,  and  flushed  with  high  suc 
cess  and  worldwide  popularity,  he  sits  calmly  down  to  write 
this  to  John  Taylor  of  Elms  Farm,  Franklin : 

WASHINGTON,  May  23,  1840. 

DEAR  SIR:  Mr.  Samuel  Lawrence  of  Lowell  has  pre 
sented  to  you  and  me  a  bull  calf,  now  at  Lowell,  one  month 
old.  It  is  from  a  full-blooded  imported  Devonshire  bull 
and  a  fine  cow,  seven-eighths  Devonshire  and  one-eighth 
Durham.  It  is  bright  red,  except  the  top  of  the  tail,  which 
is  white,  and  a  little  white  about  the  forefeet.  I  wish  you 
to  send  for  him,  as  soon  as  you  receive  this.  I  expect  that 
he  will  make  something  more  than  common.  The  blood  is 
excellent  for  steers  and  also  for  milk.  He  now  drinks 
milk — He  must  be  taken  up  carefully  in  a  cart,  well  fed 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  1 1 1 

\\ith  milk  by  the  way  and  have  as  much  milk  as  he  wants 
till  I  see  you.  Do  not  put  him  to  any  cow,  but  give  him 
milk  in  a  pail.  Send  for  him  as  soon  as  you  can. 

I  wish  I  could  say  when  Congress  will  adjourn.  One  of 
my  first  visits  when  I  get  to  Boston  will  be  to  Franklin.  Re 
member  the  turnips— I  will  write  to  Henry  W.  send  you  di 
rections  and  to  Mr.  Fletcher  to  send  you  up  some  seed. 
Sow  about  June  2Oth — I  sow  in  drills  28  inches  apart — that 
admits  the  plough.  Has  Seth  Weston  sent  you  your  plough? 
—The  land  should  be  ploughed  just  before  sowing,  the 
seeds  soaked,  so  as  to  start  quick,  and  then  the  turnips  will 
get  ahead  of  the  weeds.  I  hope  you  will  make  the  fields 
shine  this  year. 

We  shall  write  you  in  season  about  the  horses. 

Yours  truly, 

DAN  WEBSTER. 

Webster  on  his  part  was  in  the  habit  of  receiving  such 
electrical  news  from  John  Taylor  as  the  following: 

Sunday  Eav.,  FRANKLIN,  May  the  2nd,  1852. 
MR.  WEBSTER: 

Dear  Sir :  Last  Friday— the  last  day  of  April— I  drove 
50,  hed  of  Cattle  up,  and  Turned  them  into  the  Punch 
Brook  Paster. 

When  we  let  them  out  of  there  Several  yards,  whear  thay 
had  Bin  shet  up  for  six  months,  it  was  a  great  site  to  be 
hold,  running  &,  bellering,  I  never  saw  creatures  appear  to 
be  so  happy.  They  Run  nearly  all  the  way  up  The  sand 
hill,  and  cept  riming  till  they  reached  the  parster  gait— yes 
terday  I  drawd  up  6  hundred  of  hay  to  them,  but  they  would 


H2  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

not  Eat  it.     They  ware  all  ful  &,  bright.     I  shal  not  carry 
them  any  more  hay,  unless,  we  have  another  cold  storm. 
I  am,  Sir,  Your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  TAYLOR. 

From  all  accounts  Daniel  Webster's  one  great  mental 
weakness  was  his  spelling,  and  in  John  Taylor  he  had  a  man 
after  his  own  heart,  orthographic,  as  otherwise.  Mr.  Tay 
lor,  with  all  his  bad  orthography,  his  crude  six  feet  five 
inches,  and  a  build  fitted  to  cope  with  the  splendid  cattle  of 
Elms  Farm,  instinctively  knew  the  way  to  the  heart  of  Dan 
iel  Webster.  At  the  time  the  statesman  received  this  raw 
but  invigorating  picture  of  his  great,  eager,  happy  cattle 
released  from  their  winter  bondage,  he  was  Secretary  of 
State  and  a  Presidential  candidate.  Kossuth  was  the  coun 
try's  guest  and  Webster  had  done  the  lion's  share  in  giving 
him  an  eloquent  welcome.  But  the  statesman  had  long  ago 
tired  of  all  earthly  honors  and  craved  rest  at  his  Marshfield 
home  near  the  sea  or  with  his  herds  at  Elms  Farm,  lorded 
over  by  more  than  one  Hungarian  King.  For  horses  and 
dogs  he  seemed  to  care  little,  but  had  an  unbounded  admira 
tion  and  affection  for  cattle.  In  fact,  one  of  the  last  acts  of 
his  life  was  to  have  his  herd  of  noble  creatures  driven  up 
before  the  window  of  his  sickroom  that  he  might  for  a  time 
— for  the  last  time — feast  his  eyes  upon  them. 

WEBSTER'S  LAST  HOURS  AND  RELIGIOUS  DECLARATIONS. 

There  was  little  of  that  false  modesty  in  Daniel  Webster's 
nature,  discerned  in  not  a  few  great  men,  of  evincing  a 
dense  unconsciousness  in  regard  to  his  own  fame.  This 
childish  self-depreciation,  this  pretended  ignorance  of  what 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  113 

the  whole  world  knows,  is  the  most  common  weakness  of 
really  great  characters.  In  his  last  days  and  latest  mo 
ments  on  earth  W'ebster  showed  in  every  action  an  honest 
appreciation  of  his  own  high  place  in  the  world.  He  was 
as  honest  in  this  regard  as  in  all  else.  He  could  indulge  in 
no  theatricals  as  he  approached  that  eternity  and  God  which 
were  such  deep-rooted,  solemn  realities  to  him.  All  his  ac 
tions  and  words  were  straightforward,  simple  and  affec 
tionate,  and  came  from  the  soul ;  but  underlying  them  all 
could  be  discerned  this  honest,  almost  outspoken  self-con 
sciousness  of  a  good  fight  won  and  a  grand  fame  se 
cured.  In  his  will,  executed  a  few  hours  before  his  death, 
he  appointed  four  literary  executors  to  whom  his  son  was  to 
furnish  suitable  letters,  manuscripts  and  papers  relating  to 
his  private  and  public  life.  Although  there  were  many 
passages  in  his  letters  and  speeches  expressing  his  firm  be 
lief  in  the  existence  of  God  and  his  faith  in  the  divinity  of 
Jesus  Christ  and  immortality  beyond  the  earthly  life;  al 
though  there  was  no  intimate  friend  in  his  wide  circle  who 
had  not  heard  fresh  from  his  lips  the  firmest  of  assurances 
on  these  sacred  topics,  as  the  end  approached  he  felt  it  due 
to  the  memory  of  Daniel  Webster  that  he  should  make  a 
solemn  declaration  before  witnesses.  Posterity  should 
never  argue  or  quibble  over  his  attitude  toward  things  di 
vine.  During  the  last  few  days  of  his  life  his  great  dread 
was  not  that  he  should  die  but  that  he  should  pass  away  un 
conscious  ;  should  drop  away  before  he  had  declared  himself 
on  the  solemn  questions  of  life ;  should  leave  this  world 
which  he  so  loved  unresponsive  to  the  sympathies  of  those 
near  and  dear  to  him. 

With   his   powerful   mind   clear   almost   to   the   last,    he 
closely  watched  the  progress  of  his  own  disease  and  an- 


u4  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

nounced  to  his  physician  the  day  of  his  passing.  The  even 
ing  before  his  death,  having  a  week  previous  signed  a  writ 
ten  statement  regarding  Christianity  which  he  had  dictated 
to  his  private  secretary,  he  called  to  his  bedside  his  wife, 
son  and  other  relatives,  and  several  close  friends  who  had 
gathered  to  bid  him  God-speed.  He  then  signed  his  will 
with  a  strong  clear  hand,  although  physically  weak,  and 
thanked  God  for  strength  to  do  it,  as  well  as  for  the  other 
mercies  vouchsafed  him.  Next  he  looked  inquiringly 
around  the  room  to  see  that  all  were  there  whom  he  wished 
to  hear  his  words,  which  were:  "My  general  wish  on  earth 
has  been  to  do  my  Maker's  will.  I  thank  Him  now  for  all 
the  mercies  'which  surround  me.  I  thank  Him  for  the 
means  He  has  given  me  of  doing  some  little  good ;  for  my 
children,  those  beloved  objects;  for  my  nature  and  associa 
tions.  I  thank  Him  that  I  am  to  die,  if  I  am,  under  so 
many  circumstances  of  love  and  affection. 

"No  man  who  is  not  a  brute  can  say  that  he  is  not  afraid 
of  death.  No  man  can  come  back  from  that  bourne;  no 
man  can  comprehend  the  will  or  the  works  of  God.  That 
there  is  a  God  all  must  acknowledge.  I  see  Him  in  all  these 
wondrous  works.  Himself  how  wondrous ! 

"The  great  mystery  is  Jesus  Christ — the  Gospel.  What 
would  be  the  condition  of  any  of  us  if  we  had  not  the  hope 
of  immortality  ?  What  ground  is  there  to  rest  upon  but  the 
Gospel?  *  *  *  There  is,  even  to  the  Jews,  no  direct 
assurance  of  an  immortality  in  heaven.  *  *  *  But,  but, 
but  thank  God,  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  brought  life  and 
immortality  to  light — rescued  it — brought  it  to  light.  *  * 
*  Well,  I  don't  feel  as  if  I  am  to  fall  off;  I  may." 

The  dying  man  then  paused,  became  drowsy  and  closed 
his  eyes,  opened  them  soon,  looked  eagerly  around  and 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  115 

asked,  "Have  I — wife,  son,  doctor,  friends,  are  you  all  here? 
— have  I,  on  this  occasion,  said  anything  unworthy  of  Dan 
iel  •  Webster  ?" 

"No,  no,  dear  sir,"  was  the  response  from  all. 

He  then  called  his  servants  to  the  beside  and  bade  them 
adieu,  soothed  his  wife  and  suggested  that  she  retire,  with 
the  others  nearest  to  him,  and  await  the  final  parting.  Soon 
afterwards,  attended  by  the  physician  only,  he  ejected  a 
great  mass  of  clotted  blood  from  his  stomach,  said  that  he 
felt  like  sinking  away  and  asked  "Am  I  dying?"  A  little 
stimulant  was  administered  and  he  revived  sufficiently  to 
bestow  a  personal  word  of  parting  and  benediction  upon 
each  of  his  relatives  and  friends  who  separately  entered  the 
room. 

"From  this  time,"  says  Dr.  Warren,  one  of  the  attending 
physicians,  "he  fell  into  a  kind  of  doze,  arousing  himself 
occasionally  to  demand  something  to  relieve  him,  saying 
'Give  me  life,  give  me  life ;'  evidently  feeling  as  if  he  might 
fall  into  a  state  in  which  he  should  be  unable  to  realize  the 
passage  from  life  to  death.  He  also  asked  me  once  or 
twice  'Am  I  alive  or  am  I  dead.' '  It  was  past  midnight 
that  he  awoke  from  a  fitful  slumber,  evidently  made  a  strong 
effort  to  recall  himself  to  consciousness  and  uttered  the 
words  distinctly  "I  still  live."  These  were  his  last  distinct 
words  and  at  twenty-three  minutes  after  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  at  a  time  when  physical  man  is  naturally  at 
his  lowest  ebb,  the  great  heart  and  brain  ceased  their  work. 

It  is  indeed  fortunate  for  posterity  that  Daniel  Webster's 
last  hours  and  minutes  can  be  recorded  so  precisely,  his 
religious  declaration  being  taken  verbatim  by  George  Tich- 
nor  Curtis,  a  legal  friend  of  many  years'  standing,  one  of 
his  literary  executors,  the  drafter  of  his  will  and  the  author 
of  the  first  biography  of  his  life  which  approaches  com 
pleteness. 


i  i  6  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

STORY  OF  THE  SPANISH  CONSUL. 

At  the  time  of  the  trouble  in  New  Orleans  with  the 
Spanish  consul,  Don  Calderon  de  la  Barca  was  the  min 
ister  plenipotentiary  residing  at  Washington. 

The  controversy  had  been  pretty  well  settled  between 
the  two  governments  by  diplomatic  notes.  Don  Calder 
on,  however,  seemed  to  think  that  he  could  make  him 
self  of  considerably  more  importance  by  calling  on  the 
American  Secretary  of  State,  and  presenting  the  Spanish 
claim  for  pecuniary  remuneration.  In  giving  his  own 
account  of  the  interview,  he  said: 

"I  did  call  on  Mr.  Webster.  I  did  make  a  formal  de 
mand  of  the  United  States  for  pecuniary  compensation 
for  the  losses  sustained  by  the  Spanish  consul,  by  the  mob. 
I  stated  my  complaint  and  demand.  I  did  it  with  pre 
cision  and  force. 

"When  I  got  through,  what  do  you  think  Mr. Webster 
said  to  me?  He  rose  from  his  chair,  he  made  me  one 
bow,  and  he  said,  'Good  morning  Don  Calderon;  Good 
morning  Don  Calderon;  Good  Morning'  and  I  did  leave 
the  room!" 

CONQUERED. 

Had  Daniel  Webster's  dinner  conversations  been 
faithfully  reported  the  world  would  have  been  the  gain 
er,  but  his  inimitable  manner,  his  impersonations  of  the 
characters  in  his  stories  can  never  be  reproduced. 

One  thing  may  be  said  of  him,  and  that  is,  that  for  the 
sake  of  a  witticism,  or  to  illustrate  any  conversational 
topic,  he  never  quoted  or  made  allusion  in  any  way  to 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  1 1 7 

the  Scriptures.  He  never  spoke  of  them  except  with  the 
greatest  reverence,  nor  did  he  tolerate  in  others  jesting 
reference  to  them,  but  legitimate  themes  of  mirth  were 
readily  illumined  by  his  wit. 

He  was  ever  ready  with  repartee,  but  one  day  at  din 
ner  he  was  actually  talked  down  and  out  by  a  garrulous 
woman.  Exposed  to  the  pitiless  storm  of  her  ceaseless 
chatter,  Webster  for  a  time  bore  up  bravely,  then  the 
prespiration  started  from  his  forehead  and  the  veins  be 
gan  to  swell,  and  he  was  on  the  point  of  leaving  the  ta 
ble  on  plea  of  sudden  indisposition,  when  his  hostess  saw 
the  situation  and  signaled  for  the  ladies  to  leave  the 
table. 

Mr.  Webster  then  addressed  the  gentlemen  remaining 
as  follows:  "My  countrymen  did  you  ever  see  such  a 
hurricane  of  a  woman?' ' 

OPINION  OF  HENRY  CI+AV 

Webster's  opinion  of  his  great  rivai '.'<  Deeply  interest 
ing.  He  talked  freely  01  \:m.  and  admitted  that  he  did 
not  like  him.  They  belonged  l:o  the  same  party,  and  their 
political  ideas  harmonized,  but  these  were  about  the  only 
matters  concerning  which  they  agreed. 

When  Clay  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency  against 
Polk  in  1844,  Mr.  Webster  at  great  inconvenience  to  him 
self  went  to  Pennsylvania,  and  took  the  stump  in  his 
behalf. 

A  near  and  dear  friend  ventured  to  remark:  "I  should 
let  Mr.  Clay  get  elected  in  his  own  way,  if  I  were  you." 

"It  is  not  Mr.  Clay,"  he  replied,  "it  is  the  cause,  the 


n8  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

great  cause,  the  success  of  which  I  believe  to  be  for  the 
interest  of  the  country.  Men  are  nothing,  principles  are 
everything.  Besides,  Mr.  Clay  is  fit  to  be  President,  he 
is  qualified  for  the  station.  His  principles  are  such  as  I 
approve,  and  his  ability  nobody  can  question.  There 
fore  I  am  bound  as  an  honest  man  to  do  everything  I 
can.  And  when  I  say  that,  I  am  perfectly  well  aware 
that  Mr.  Clay  would  not  do  the  same  thing  for  me." 

RECONCILIATION   WITH   BENTON. 

A  year  or  two  before  his  death,  Webster  related  to  a 
friend  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  great  change 
in  his  relations  toward  Colonel  Benton.  The  two  men 
had  indulged  in  many  political  controversies,  and  not 
only  this,  but  they  were  personally  antagonistic.  It  ap 
pears  that  for  years,  while  they  were  members  of  the 
same  body,  they  had  passed  in  and  out  at  the  same  door 
without  even  bowing  to  each  other,  and  they  never  had 
any  intercourse  except  such  as  could  not  be  avoided. 

At  the  time  of  the  terrible  gun  explosion  on  board  the 
Princeton  during  Tyler's  administration,  Benton  was 
on  board.  He  was  standing  as  he  said  in  the  very  best 
position  to  witness  the  experiment  when  some  one 
touched  his  arm  and  led  him  away  to  speak  to  him.  Bx- 
Governor  Gilmer  of  Virginia,  then  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
took  his  place  greatly  to  his  annoyance. 

Just  then  the  gun  was  fired,  the  explosion  took  place, 
and  Gilmer  was  killed  as  was  also  Mr.  Upshur,  the 
Secretary  of  State,  and  others. 

Colonel  Benton  came  to  Webster  and  told  the  story; 


DANIKL  WEBSTER.  119 

"It  seemed  to  me,"  he  said,"as  if  the  touch  on  my  shoul 
der  had  been  the  hand  of  the  Almighty  drawing  me 
away  from  what  otherwise  would  have  been  instantane 
ous  death.  That  one  circumstance  has  changed  the 
whole  current  of  my  thought  and  life.  I  feel  that  I  am 
a  different  man,  and  I  want  in  the  first  place  to  be  at 
peace  with  all  those  with  whom  I  have  been  so  sharply 
at  variance.  And  so  I  have  come  to  you.  Let  us  bury 
the  hatchet,  Mr.  Webster."  They  shook  hands  and  after 
that,  their  relations  were  cordial  and  pleasant. 

A   PEACEMAKER. 

After  the  reconciliation  with  Benton,  Mr.  Webster  re 
ceived  a  call  from  a  broken  down  politician  by  the  name 
of  John  Wilson,  who  had  decided  to  move  to  California. 
He  was  old  and  poor,  but  thought  he  might  still  obtain 
something  for  his  family  if  he  could  reach  the  far  west, 
and  find  friends  there.  He  came  to  Webster  for  a  letter 
of  recommendation,  knowing  that  the  name  of  such  a 
man  would  be  of  value. 

This  was  in  the  year  of  1847,  Jus^  after  the  discovery 
of  gold  in  the  Golden  State,  and  after  Colonel  Fremont 
has  wrested  the  state  from  Mexican  rule.  This  was  in 
deed  a  great  achievement,  and  Colonel  Benton  had  reas 
on  to  be  proud  of  his  distinguished  son-in-law,  even 
though  he  had  incurred  his  violent  rage  by  eloping  with 
"Jessie." 

Fremont's  name  was  in  everyone's  mouth,  and  his 
wonderful  deeds  were  the  subject  of  general  laudation. 
Everyone  going  to  the  Coast  wras  anxious  to  obtain  let- 


120  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

ters  to  the  gallant  young  officer.  Webster  said  to  the 
old  man  that  the  best  recommendation  he  could  get 
would  be  a  letter  from  Bentoi 

"Is  thy  servant  a  dog  that  he  should  do  this  thing?" 
enquired  the  enraged  Wilson.  "I  would  not  have  a  let 
ter  from  him.  I  would  not  speak  to  him,  I  would  not 
be  beholden  to  him  for  a  favor — not  to  save  the  life  of 
every  member  of  my  family!  No,  sir!  The  very  thought 
makes  me  shudder.  I  feel  indignant  at  the  mention  of 
it.  I  take  a  letter  from  Benton!  I—."  "Stop,  stop,"  said 
Webster,  "I  know  how  you  feel." 

And  while  he  continued  to  rave  and  protest,  Webster 
was  writing  a  letter  to  Benton  which  ran  about  as  fol 
lows: 

"Dear  Sir: — I  am  well  aware  of  the  disputes,  personal  and  politi 
cal,  which  have  taken  place  between  the  bearer  of  this  note,  Mr.  John 
Wilson,  and  yourself. 

"But  the  old  gentleman  is  now  poor,  and  is  going  to  California, 
and  needs  a  letter  of  recommendation.  I  know  no  one  there  to  whom 
I  could  address  a  letter,  but  you  know  many,  and  a  letter  from  you 
would  do  him  a  great  deal  of  good. 

"I  have  assured  Mr.  Wilson  that  it  will  do  you  more  good  to  for 
get  what  has  passed,  and  to  give  him  a  letter,  than  it  will  him  to  re 
ceive  it.  I  am  going  to  persuade  him  to  carry  you  this  note,  and  I 
know  you  will  be  glad  to  see  him." 

When  Wilson  got  through  protesting,  Webster  read  the 
note  to  him  and  said.  "I  want  you  to  carry  this  to  Ben- 
ton."  "I  won't,"  he  replied. 

Webster  coaxed,  scolded,  reasoned,  and  brought  every 
consideration,  to  bear — death,  eternity,  and  everything 
else.  But  it  seemed  for  a  time  that  it  would  be  of  no  use. 

After  a  while  however,  he  softened  down  and  the  tears 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  121 

flowed,  and  at  last  promised,  very  reluctantly,  that  he 
would  deliver  the  note  at  Colonel  Benton's  door  if  he 
did  no  more.  He  said  afterward  that  it  was  the  bitter 
est  pill  he  ever  swallowed.  He  delivered  the  note  with 
his  own  card  to  the  servant  at  the  door,  and  then  hastened 
away  to  his  own  lodgings,  trembling  to  think  what  he  had 
done. 

It  was  hardly  an  hour  before  a  note  came  from  Benton 
saying  he  had  received  the  card  and  the  note,  and  that 
Mrs.  Benton  and  himself  would  have  much  pleasure  in 
receiving  Mr.  Wilson  at  breakfast  at  nine  o'clock  the 
next  morning.  They  would  wait  breakfast  for  him,  and 
no  answer  was  expected. 

"The  idea!"  he  said  to  himself,  "that  I  am  going  to 
breakfast  with  Tom  Benton!  John  Wilson!  What  will 
people  say?  And  what  shall  I  say?  The  thing  is  not  to 
be  thought  of.  And  yet  I  must,  I  have  delivered  the 
note,  and  sent  my  card.  If  I  do  not  go  now,  it  will  be 
rude.  It  does'nt  seem  to  me  as  if  I  could  go  and  sit  at 
that  table." 

Afterwards  he  said  to  Webster,  "I  lay  awa^e  that  night 
thinking  of  it,  and  in  the  morning  I  felt  as  a  man  might 
feel  who  had  a  sentence  of  death  passed  upon  him,  and 
was  called  by  the  turnkey  to  get  up  for  his  last  breakfast. 

"I  rose,  however,  made  my  toilet,  and  after  hesitating  a 
great  deal,  went  to  Benton's  house.  My  hands  trembled 
as  I  rang  the  bell.  Instead  of  a  servant,  the  Colonel,  him 
self  came  to  the  door.  He  took  me  cordially  by  both 
hands,  and  said,  'Wilson,  I  am  delighted  to  see  you,  this 
is  the  happiest  meeting  I  have  had  for  twenty  years. 


122  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Webster  has  done  the  kindest  thing  he  ever  did  in  his 
life.' 

"Leading  me  directly  to  the  dining  room,  he  presented 
me  to  Mrs.  Benton,  and  then  we  sat  down  to  breakfast. 

"After  inquiring  kindly  about  my  family,  he  said,  'You 
and  I,  Wilson,  have  been  quarrelling  on  the  stump  for 
twenty  years.  We  have  been  calling  each  other  hard 
names,  but  really  with  no  want  of  mutual  confidence  and 
respect.  It  has  been  merely  a  foolish  political  fight,  and 
let  us  wipe  it  out  of  mind.  Every  thing  that  I  have  said 
about  you,  I  ask  your  pardon  for. ' 

"We  both  cried  a  little,  and  I  asked  his  pardon,  and 
we  were  good  friends.  We  talked  over  old  matters,  and 
spent  the  morning  until  twelve  o'clock  in  pleasant  con 
versation.  Nothing  was  said  about  the  letter  until  just 
as  I  was  leaving.  He  then  turned  to  his  desk,  and  said 
'I  have  prepared  some  letters  for  you,  to  my  son-in-law 
and  other  friends  in  California,'  and  he  handed  me  nine 
sheets  of  foolscap. 

"It  was  not  a  letter,  but  a  command  to  the  effect  that 
who  ever  received  them  must  give  special  attention  to  the 
wants  of  his  particular  friend,  Colonel  John  Wilson. 
Every  thing  was  to  give  way  to  that.  He  put  them  in 
my  hands,  and  I  thanked  him  and  left. " 

"Colonel  Benton, "says  Webster, "afterward  came  tome, 
and  said,  'Webster  that  was  the  kindest  thing,  you  ever 
did.  God  bless  you  for  sending  John  Wilson  to  me.  That 
is  one  troublesome  thing  off  my  mind.  Let  us  get  these 
things  off  our  minds  as  fast  as  we  can.  We  have  not 
much  longer  to  stay — we  have  got  pretty  near  the  end. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  123 

Let  us  go  into  the  presence  of  our  Maker,  with  as  little 
of  enmity  in  our  hearts  as  possible. '  : 

And  yet  after  all  this,  Webster  failed  to  effect  a  recon 
ciliation  between  Benton  and  Calhoun.  Benton  said  he 
would  do  any  thing  else,  he  would  go  down  to  the  jail, 
and  beg  the  pardon  of  a  negro  confined  there  if  necessary, 
but  he  would'nt  be  reconciled  to  Calhoun. 

"I  won't,  sir — Calhoun  is  a  humbug.  I  won't  have  any 
thing  to  do  with  him.  I  won' t  sir.  My  mind  is  made  up. 
He  is  a  humbug,  and  I  wont  do  it  sir." —  From  Harvey's 
"(Reminiscences." 

A  GREAT  MAN'S  GREATEST  THOUGHT. 

There  was  a  dinner  at  the  Astor  House  while  Daniel 
Webster  was  Secretary  of  State  under  Fillmore,  and 
about  twenty  gentlemen  were  present.  There  had  been 
jokes,  arguments,  and  much  conversation  concerning  the 
political  questions  of  the  day,  but  a  silence  at  last  fell 
upon  the  company,  and  then  one  of  the  guests  said: 

"Mr.  Webster,  will  you  tell  us  what  was  the  most  im 
portant  thought  that  ever  occupied  your  mind?" 

Webster  slowly  passed  his  hand  over  his  forehead,  and 
after  a  moment  he  answered: "The  most  important  thought 
that  ever  occupied  my  mind  was  that  of  my  individual 
responsibility  to  God. ' '  And  after  speaking  on  this  sub 
ject  in  the  most  solemn  strain  for  about  twenty  minutes, 
he  silently  arose  from  the  table  and  retired  to  his  room. 

FAVORITE   POEMS. 

Webster  was  very  fond  of  Scott's  "Lady  of  the  Lake." 
He  especially  enjoyed  the  beginning  of  the  first  Canto, 


124  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

saying  that  it  brought  the  scene  vividly  before  his  mind. 

He  loved  to  repeat  it  to  his  friends,  and  pausing,    to  im- 

press     upon    their 

minds,  the  beautiful 

word  pictures  of  the 

poet. 

"The  stag  at  eve  had 

drunk  his  fill, 
Where  danced  the  moon 

on  Monon's  rill, 
And  deep  his  midnight 

lair  had  made 
In  lone  Glenartney's 

hazel-shade. 
And   when  the  sun,  his 

beacon  red 
Had  kindled  on  Benvoir- 

lich's  head, 

The  deep  mouthed  blood 
hound's  heavy  bay 
Resounded  up  the  rocky 

way, 

And  faint  from  farther 

Sir  Walter  Scott,  Webster's  Favorite  Author, 
distance  borne, 

Were  heard  the  clang  of  hoof  and  horn. 
As  chief  who  hears  his  warder  call 
To  arms!  the  foemen  storm  the  wall! ' 
The  antlered  monarch  of  the  waste 
Sprung  from  his  heathery  couch  in  haste. 
But,  ere  his  fleet  career  he  took, 
The  dew  drops  from  his  flank  he  shook; 
Like  crested  leader,  proud  and  high, 
Tossed  his  beamed  frontlet  to  the  sky; 
A  moment  gazed  adown  the  dale — 
A  moment  snuffed  the  tainted  gale — 
-A  moment  listened  to  the  cry, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  125 

That  thickened  as  the  chase  drew  nigh; 
Then,  as  the  headmost  foes  appeared, 
With  one  brave  bound,  the  copse  he  cleared, 
And  stretching  forward,  free  and  far 
Sought  the  wild  heaths  of  Uam-var." 

Mr.  Webster  had  also  a  high  appreciation  of  the  sub 
limity  of  Bibical  poetry.  "The  Hebrew  poets,  "said  he, 
"borrowed  a  great  deal  of  their  imagery  from  common 
life,  and  to  have  invested  familiar  subjects  with  the  great 
est  dignity  is  a  commendation,  I  should  say,  peculiar  to 
them. 

"Homer  who  has  attempted  the  same, and  not  without 
success,  still  falls  far  below  the  sacred  writers  in  boldness 
and  sublimity.  What  other  writer,  indeed,  in  ancient 
or  modern  times  would  have  dared,  or  daring  could  have 
succeeded,  in  conveying  a  shadow  or  outline  of  this  glor 
ious  delineation  of  imagery  taken  from  the  wine  press?" 

"Who  is  this  that  cometh  from  Edom? 
"With  garments  deeply  dyed  from  Bozrah? 
This,  that  is  magnificent  in  his  apparel; 
Marching  on  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength?" 

"I,the  announcer  of  righteousness,mighty  to  save." 

"Wherefore  is  thine  apparel  red? 

"And  thy  garments,  as  one  that  treadeth  the  wine  vat? 

"I  have  trodden  the  wine  press  alone; 

And  of  the  people,  there  was  none  to  help  me." 

No  one  who  ever  heard  Daniel  Webster  repeat,  with 
his  deep  and  sympathetic  intonation,  this  announcement 
from  Isaiah,  in  relation  to  the  coming  of  the  Messiah, 
will  ever  forget  his  rendering  of  the  sublime  passage. 

"I  have  met  with  men  in  my  time,"    he  said,    "who 


126  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

were  accounted;  scholars — who  knew  Homer  by  heart, 
recited  Pindar,  were  at  home  with  ^Eschylus,  and  petted 
Horace — who  could  not  understand  Isaiah,  Moses  or  the 
Royal  Poet.  Why  is  this?  Why,  in  cultivating  profane 
poetry  should  they  neglect  sacred — so  far  superior  in 
original  force,  sublimity,  and  truth  to  nature? 

"The  Book  of  Job  is  a  complete  epic,  only  instead  of 
wars  and  combatants,  we  have  arguments  and  orators. 
Its  action  is  entire  and  complete,  as  the  unity  of  the  work 
demands;  or  as  Aristotle  expresses  it,  it  has  a  beginning, 
middle,  and  end. 

"The  middle  of  this  epic,  corresponding  with  that  por 
tion  of  the  Iliad  which  describes  the  various  contests  be 
tween  the  Greeks  and  Trojans,  is  the  sustained,  and  at 
times  irate  controversy  between  Job  and  his  friends — 
perhaps  the  greatest  visitation  of  Providence  upon  him. 

"Isaiah  may  be  occasionally  more  sublime,  and  David 
superior  in  tenderness  and  variety  of  style;  but  the  author 
of  Job  in  force,  and  fidelity  of  description  is  unrivaled. 
The  dignity  of  his  imagery,  and  his  elevated  diction  are 
worthy  of  his  theme." 

"I  read  often,  and  always  with  increased  pleasure/' 
said  Mr.  Webster} 'the  prayer  of  Habakkuk  as  it  is  called; 
It  may  properly  be  denominated  an  ode,  and  has  been 
accounted  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  its  class." 

"God  came  from  Teman 

The  Holy  One  from  Mount  Paran. 

His  glory  covered  the  heavens, 

The  earth  was  full  of  his  praise. 

Before  him  rushed  the  pestilence 

And  burning  coals  went  forth  at  his  feet. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  127 

"He  stood  and  measured  the  earth; 

He  beheld,  and  drove  asunder  the  nations, 

The  everlasting  mountains  are  scattered, 

The  perpetual  hills  did  bow  their  heads. 

I  saw  the  tents  of  Cushan  in  affliction; 

The  curtains  of  the  land  of  Midian  trembled. 

The  mountains  saw  thee  and  trembled; 

The  overflowing  of  the  water  passed  by. 

The  deep  uttered  his  voice, 

And  lifted  up  his  hands  on  high. 

The  sun  and  moon  stood  still  in  their  habitation 

At  the  light  of  thine  arrows  they  went, 

At  the  shining  of  thy  glittering  spear." 

"The  Hebrew  poets  have  this  advantage,  that  in  the 
awful  dignity  of  their  subject,  they  not  only  immeasure- 
ably  surpass  all  other  authors,  but  go  beyond  the  confines 
of  human  genius.  They  celebrate  the  praises  and  the 
power  of  the  Holy  One,  under  the  influence  of  direct  in 
spiration,  and  thus  become  the  organs  through  which 
His  greatness,  and  justice,  and  immensity,  reach  our  ap 
prehension." 

uAnd  what,"  continued  Mr.  Webster,  "can  be  more 
beautiful,  more  expressive  than  the  closing  lines  of  this 
ode? 

"Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom, 
Neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines; 
The  labor  of  the  olive  shall  fail, 
And  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat; 
The  flock  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold, 
And  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls; 
Yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation." 

"The  cadence  of  the  sentiment  and  the  arrangement 
of  the  words  are  wholly  poetical.  Without  doubt,  they 


128  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

were  composed  originally  in  verse,  or  measured  numbers; 
but  having  lost  the  ancient  pronunciation  of  the  Hebrew 
language,  we  cannot  ascertain  satisfactorily  the  nature  of 
Hebrew  verse. 

'The  labor  of  the  olive' — what  an  energetic  simile!  As 
if  the  olive,  of  its  own  accord  supplied  or  withheld  its  fruit ; 
as  if  it  had  volition  and  powers  inherent  in  itself.  'The 
fields  shall  yield  no  meat/ 

"How  much  more  forcible  and  poetic  than  if  he  had  said 
'The  fields  shall  yield  no  produce,  no  crop,  or  return.' 

"The  whole  ode  or  'prayer'  indeed  is  full  of  vivid  images, 
embellishing  and  strengthening  the  earnest  ideas  they  illus 
trate." — From  ''Social  Hours  of  Daniel  Webster"  in  Har 
per's  Monthly. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  SPEECHES  BY  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

THE  GREEK  REVOLUTION. 

From  the  speech  delivered  when  Mr.  Webster  was  forty - 
two  years  of  age : 

"I  am  not  of  those  who  would,  in  the  hour  of  the  utmost 
peril,  withhold  such  encouragement  as  might  be  properly  and 
lawfully  given,  and  when  the  crisis  should  be  passed,  over 
whelm  the  rescued  sufferer  with  kindness  and  caresses. 

"The  Greeks  address  the  civilized  world  with  a  pathos 
not  easy  to  be  resisted.  They  invoke  our  favor  by  more 
moving  considerations  than  can  well  belong  to  the  condition 
of  any  other  people.  They  stretch  out  their  arms  to  the 
Christian  communities  of  the  earth,  beseeching  them,  by  a 
generous  recollection  of  their  ancestors, — by  the  considera 
tion  of  their  own  desolated  cities  and  villages, — by  their 
wives  and  children  sold  into  an  accursed  slavery, — by  their 
own  blood,  which  they  seem  willing  to  pour  out  like  water — 
by  the  common  faith,  and  in  the  namei  which  unites  all 
Christians,  that  they  would  extend  to  them,  at  least,  some 
token  of  compassionate  regard." 


DANIEL  WEBSTER. 


129 


WEBSTER'S  ORATION  AT  THE  LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER  STONE  OF 
THE  BUNKER  HILL  MONUMENT. 

Delivered  at  Charlestown,  Mass.,  on  the  Seventeenth  of  June,  1825. 


This  uncounted 
and  around  me,  proves 
occasion  has  excited, 
human  faces,  glowing 
joy,  and,  from  the  im- 
gratitude,  turned  rev- 
this  spacious  temple 
claim  that  the  day,  the 
of  our  assembling 
pression  on  our  hearts, 
anything  in  local  asso- 
mind  of  man,  we  need 
the  emotions  which 


multitude  before  me, 
the  feeling  which  the 
These  thousands  of 
with  sympathy  and 
pulses  of  a  common 
erently  to  heaven,  in 
of  the  firmament,  pro- 
place,  and  the  purpose 
have  made  a  deep  im- 
If,  indeed,  there  be 
ciation  fit  to  affect  the 
not  strive  to  repress 
agitate  us  here.  We 


Bunker  Hill  Monument,  Charlestown,  Mass. 

are  among  the  sepulchres  of  our  fathers.     We  are  on  ground 
distinguished  by  their  valor,  their  constancy,  and  the  shed- 


1 3o  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ding  of  their  blood.  We  are  here,  not  to  fix  an  uncertain 
date  in  our  annals,  nor  to  draw  into  notice  an  obscure  and 
unknown  spot.  If  our  humble  purpose  had  never  been  con- 
,ceived,  if  we  ourselves  had  never  been  born,  the  seventeenth 
of  June,  1775,  would  have  been  a  day  on  which  all  subse 
quent  history  would  have  poured  its  light,  and  the  eminence 
where  we  stand,  a  point  of  attraction  to  the  eyes  of  succes 
sive  generations.  But  we  are  Americans.  We  live  in  what 
may  be  called  the  early  age  of  this  great  continent ;  and  we 
know  that  our  posterity,  through  all  time,  are  here  to  suf 
fer  and  enjoy  the  allotments  of  humanity.  We  see  before 
•  us  a  probable  train  of  great  events ;  we  know  that  our  own 
fortunes  have  been  hapily  cast ;  and  it  is  natural,  therefore, 
that  we  should  be  moved  by  the  contemplation  of  occur 
rences  which  have  guided  our  destiny  before  many  of  us 
were  born,  and  settled  the  condition  in  which  we  should  pass 
that  portion  of  our  existence  which  God  allows  to  men  on 
earth. 

We  do  not  read  even  of  the  discovery  of  this  continent 
without  feeling  something  of  a  personal  interest  in  the  event ; 
without  being  reminded  how  much  it  has  affected  our  own 
fortunes  and  our  own  existence.  It  is  more  impossible  for 
us,  therefore,  than  for  others,  to  contemplate  with  unaffected 
minds  that  interesting,  I  may  say,  that  most  touching  and 
pathetic  scene,  when  the  great  discoverer  of  America  stood 
on  the  deck  of  his  shattered  bark,  the  shades  of  night  falling 
on  the  sea,  yet  no  man  sleeping ;  tossed  on  the  billows  of  an 
unknown  ocean,  yet  the  stronger  billows  of  alternate  hope 
and  despair  tossing  his  own  troubled  thoughts ;  extending 
forward  his  harassed  frame,  straining  westward  his  anxious 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  MI 

and  eager  eyes,  till  Heaven  at  last  granted  him  a  moment 
of  rapture  and  ecstasy,  in  blessing  his  vision  with  the  sight 
of  the  unknown  world. 

Nearer  to  our  times,  more  closely  connected  with  our 
fates,  and  therefore  still  more  interesting  to  our  feelings 
and  affections,  is  the  settlement  of  our  own  country  by  colo 
nists  from  England.  We  cherish  every  memorial  of  these 
worthy  ancestors;  we  celebrate  their  patience  and  fortitude; 
we  admire  their  daring  enterprise ;  we  teach  our  children  to 
venerate  their  piety;  and  we  are  justly  proud  of  being  de 
scended  from  men  who  have  set  the  world  an  example  of 
founding  civil  institutions  on  the  great  and  united  principles 
of  human  freedom  and  human  knowledge.  To  us,  their 
children,  the  story  of  their  labors  and  sufferings  can  never 
be  without  its  interest.  We  shall  not  stand  unmoved  on  the 
shore  of  Plymouth,  while  the  sea  continues  to  wash  it ;  nor 
will  our  brethren,  in  another  early  and  ancient  colony,  for 
get  the  place  of  its  first  establishment,  till  their  river  shall 
cease  to  flow  by  it.  No  vigor  of  youth,  no  maturity  of  man 
hood,  will  lead  the  nation  to  forget  the  spots  where  its  in 
fancy  was  cradled  and  defended. 

But  the  great  event,  in  the  history  of  the  continent,  which 
we  are  now  met  here  to  commemorate ;  that  prodigy  of  mod 
ern  times,  at  once  the  wonder  and  blessing  of  the  world,  is 
the  American  Revolution.  In  a  day  of  extraordinary  pros 
perity  and  happiness,  of  high  national  honor,  distinction, 
and  power,  we  are  brought  together,  in  this  place,  by  our 
love  of  country,  by  our  admiration  of  exalted  character,  by 
our  gratitude  for  signal  services  and  patriotic  devotion. 

The  society,  whose  organ  I  arn,  was  formed  for  the  pur- 


132  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

pose  of  rearing  some  honorable  and  durable  monument  to 
the  memory  of  the  early  friends  of  American  Independence. 
They  have  thought  that  for  this  object  no  time  could  be  more 
propitious  than  the  present  prosperous  and  peaceful  period ; 
that  no  place  could  claim  preference  over  this  memorable 
spot ;  and  that  no  day  could  be  more  auspicious  to  the  un 
dertaking  than  the  anniversary  of  the  battle  which  was  here 
fought.  The  foundation  of  that  monument  we  have  now 
laid.  With  solemnities  suited  to  the  occasion,  with  prayers 
to  Almighty  God  for  his  blessing,  and  in  the  midst  of  this 
cloud  of  witnesses,  we  have  begun  the  work.  We  trust  it 
will  be  prosecuted,  and  that  springing  from  a  broad  founda 
tion  rising  high  in  massive  solidity  and  unadorned  grandeur 
it  may  remain  as  long  as  Heaven  permits  the  works  of  man 
to  last,  a  fit  emblem,  both  of  the  events  in  memory  of  which 
it  is  raised  and  of  the  gratitude  of  those  wrho  have  reared 
it. 

We  know,  indeed,  that  the  record  of  illustrious  actions 
is  most  safely  deposited  in  the  universal  remembrance  of 
mankind.  We  know  that  if  we  could  cause  this  structure 
to  ascend,  not  only  till  it  reached  the  skies,  but  till  it  pierc 
ed  them,  its  broad  surface  could  still  contain  but  part  of 
that  which,  in  an  age  of  knowledge,  hath  already  been 
spread  over  the  earth,  and  which  history  charges  itself  with 
making  known  to  all  future  times.  We  know  that  no  in 
scription  on  entablatures  less  broad  than  the  earth  itself 
can  carry  information  of  the  events  we  commemorate  where 
it  has  not  already  gone;  and  that  no  structure  which  shall 
not  outlive  the  duration  of  letters  and  knowledge  among 
men,  can  prolong  the  memorial.  But  our  object  is  by  this 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  133 

edifice  to  show  our  own  deep  sense  of  the  value  and  import 
ance  of  the  achievements  of  our  ancestors  ;  and  by  presenting 
this  work  of  gratitude  to  the  eye  to  keep  alive  similar  senti 
ments  and  to  foster  a  constant  regard  for  the  principles  of 
the  Revolution.  Human  beings  are  composed  not  of  reason 
only,  but  of  imagination  also,  and  sentiment;  and  that  is 
neither  wasted  nor  misapplied  which  is  appropriated  to  the 
purpose  of  giving  right  direction  to  sentiments  and  opening 
proper  springs  of  feeling  in  the  heart.  Let  it  not  be  sup 
posed  that  our  object  is  to  perpetuate  national  hostility, 
or  even  to  cherish  a  mere  military  spirit.  It  is  higher,  purer, 
nobler.  We  consecrate  our  work  to  the  spirit  of  national  in 
dependence,  and  we  wish  that  the  light  of  peace  may  rest 
upon  it  forever.  We  rear  a  memorial  of  our  conviction 
of  that  unmeasured  benefit  which  has  been  conferred  on 
our  own  land,  and  of  the  happy  influences  which  have 
been  produced  by  the  same  events  on  the  general  interests 
of  mankind.  We  come  as  Americans  to  mark  a  spot  which 
must  forever  be  dear  to  us  and  our  posterity.  Wre  wish 
that  whosoever,  in  all  coming  time,  shall  turn  his  eye  hither, 
may  behold  that  the  place  is  not  undistinguished  where  the 
first  great  battle  of  the  Revolution  was  fought.  We  wish 
that  this  structure  may  proclaim  the  magnitude  and  im 
portance  of  that  event  to  every  class  and  every  age.  We 
wish  that  infancy  may  learn  the  purpose  of  its  erection  from 
maternal  lips  and  that  weary  and  withered  age  may  behold 
it  and  be  solaced  by  the  recollections  which  it  suggests.  We 
wish  that  labor  may  look  up  here  and  be  proud  in  the  midst 
of  its  toil.  We  wish  that  in  those  days  of  disaster  which, 
as  they  come  on  all  nations,  must  be  expected  to  come  on 


134  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

us  also,  desponding  patriotism  may  turn  its  eyes  hitherward 
and  be  assured  that  the  foundations  of  our  national  power 
still  stand  strong.  We  wish  that  this  column  rising  toward 
heaven  among  the  pointed  spires  of  so  many  temples  dedi 
cated  to  God  may  contribute  also  to  produce  in  all  minds  a 
pious  feeling  of  dependence  and  gratitude.  We  wish,  final 
ly,  that  the  last  object  on  the  sight  of  him  who  leaves  his 
native  shore,  and  the  first  to  gladden  his  who  revisits  it, 
may  be  something  which  shall  remind  him  of  the  liberty  and 
the  glory  of  his  country.  Let  it  rise  till  it  meet  the  sun  in 
his  coming ;  let  the  earlier  light  of  morning  gild  it,  and  part 
ing  day  linger  and  play  on  its  summit. 

We  live  in  a  most  extraordinary  age.  Events  so  various 
and  so  important  that  thev  might  crowd  and  distinguish 
centuries  are  in  our  times  compressed  within  the  compass 
of  a  single  life.  When  has  it  happened  that  history  has  had 
so  much  to  record  in  the  same  term  of  years  as  since  the 
seventeenth  of  June,  1775?  Our  own  Revolution,  which 
under  other  circumstances  might  itself  have  been  expected 
to  occasion  a  war  of  half  a  century,  has  been  achieved; 
twenty-four  soverign  and  independent  States  erected;  and 
a  general  government  established  over  them,  so  safe,  so 
wise,  so  free,  so  practical,  that  we  might  well  wonder  its 
establishment  should  have  been  accomplished  so  soon  were 
it  not  for  the  greater  wonder  that  it  should  have  been  estab 
lished  at  all.  Two  or  three  millions  of  people  have  been 
augmented  to  twelve;  and  the  great  forests  of  the  West 
prostrated  beneath  the  arm  of  successful  industry ;  and  the 
dwellers  on  the  banks  of  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi  become 
the  fellow-citizens  and  neighbors  of  those  who  cultivate 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  135 

the  hills  of  New  England.     We  have  a  commerce  that  leaves 
no  sea  unexplored;  navies  which  take  no  law  from  super 
ior  force ;  revenues  adequate  to  all  the  exigencies  of  gov 
ernment,  almost  without  taxation ;  and  peace  with  all  na 
tions,  founded  on  equal  rights  and  mutual  respect. 

Europe,  within  the  same  period  has  been  agitated  by  a 
mighty  revolution,  which,  while  it  has  been  felt  in  the  indi 
vidual  condition  and  happiness  of  almost  every  man,  has 
shaken  to  the  center  her  political  fabric,  and  dashed  against 
one  another  thrones  which  had  stood  tranquil  for  ages.  On 
this,  our  continent,  our  own  example  has  been  followed; 
and  colonies  have  sprung  up  to  be  nations.  Unaccustomed 
sounds  of  liberty  and  free  government  have  reached  us  from 
beyond  the  track  of  the  sun ;  and  at  this  moment  the  domin 
ion  of  European  power  in  this  continent,  from  the  place 
where  we  .stand  to  the  South  Pole,  is  annihilated  forever. 

In  the  meantime,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  such  has 
been  the  general  progress  of  knowledge;  such  the  improve 
ments  in  legislation,  in  commerce,  in  the  arts,  in  letters,  and, 
above  all,  in  liberal  ideas  and  the  general  spirit  of  the  age, 
that  the  whole  world  seems  changed. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  that  this  is  but  a  faint  abstract  of 
the  things  which  have  happened  since  the  dav  of  the  battle 
of  Bunker  Hill,  we  are  but  fifty  years  removed  from  it ;  and 
we  now  stand  here  to  enjoy  all  the  blessings  of  our  own 
condition,  and  to  look  abroad  on  the  brightened  prospects 
of  the  world,  while  we  hold  still  among  us  some  of  those  who 
were  active  agents  in  the  scenes  of  1775,  and  who  are  now 
here  from  every  quarter  of  New  England  to  visit  once  more, 
and  under  circumstances  so  affecting,  I  had  almost  said  so 


136  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

overwhelming,  this  renowned  theatre  of  their  courage  and 
patriotism. 

Venerable  men,  you  have  come  down  to  us  from  a  former 
generation.  Heaven  has  bounteously  lengthened  out  your 
lives  that  you  might  behold  this  joyous  day.  You  are  now 
where  you  stood  fifty  years  ago  this  very  hour,  with  your 
brothers  and  your  neighbors,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  in  the 
strife  for  your  country.  Behold,  how  altered !  The  same 
heavens  are,  indeed,  over  your  heads ;  the  same  ocean  rolls 
at  your  feet;  but  all  else,  how  changed!  You  hear  now 
no  roar  of  hostile  cannon,  you  see  no  mixed  volumes  of 
smoke  and  flame  rising  from  burning  Charlestown.  The 
ground  strewed  with  the  dead  and  the  dying;  the  impetuous 
charge ;  the  steady  and  successful  repulse ;  the  loud  call  to 
repeated  assault;  the  summoning  all  that  is  manly  to  re 
peated  resistance ;  a  thousand  bosoms  freely  and  fearlessly 
bared  in  an  instant  to  whatever  of  terror  there  may  be  in  war 
and  death ;  all  these  you  have  witnessed,  but  you  witness 
them  no  more.  All  is  peace.  The  heights  of  yonder  me 
tropolis,  its  towers  and  roofs  which  you  then  saw  filled  with 
wives  and  children  and  countrymen  in  distress  and  terror, 
and  looking  with  unutterable  emotions  for  the  issue  of  the 
combat,  have  presented  you  to-day  with  the  sight  of  its 
whole  happy  population  come  out  to  welcome  and  greet  you 
with  a  universal  jubilee.  Yonder  proud  ships  by  a  felicity 
of  position  appropriately  lying  at  the  foot  of  this  mount, 
and  seeming  fondly  to  cling  around  it,  are  not  means  of  an 
noyance  to  you,  but  your  country's  own  means  of  distinc 
tion  and  defense.  All  is  peace;  and  God  has  granted  you 
this  sight  of  your  country's  happiness  ere  you  slumber  in 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  137 

the  grave  forever.  He  has  allowed  you  to  behold  and  to 
partake  the  reward  of  your  patriotic  toils;  and  he  has 
allowed  us,  your  sons  and  countrymen,  to  meet  you  here, 
and  in  the  name  of  the  present  generation,  in  the  name  of 
your  country,  in  the  name  of  liberty,  to  thank  you  ! 

But,  alas !  you  are  not  all  here !  Time  and  the  sword  have 
thinned  your  ranks.  Prescott,  Putnam,  Stark,  Brooks, 
Read,  Pomeroy,  Bridge !  our  eyes  seek  for  you  in  vain  amid 
this  broken  band.  You  are  gathered  to  your  fathers,  and 
live  only  to  your  country  in  her  grateful  remembrance  and 
your  own  bright  example.  But  let  us  not  too  much  grieve 
that  you  have  met  the  common  fate  of  men.  You  lived  at 
least  long  enough  to  know  that  your  work  had  been  nobly 
and  successfully  accomplished.  You  lived  to  see  your  coun 
try's  independence  established  and  to  sheath  your  swords 
from  war.  On  the  light  of  liberty  you  saw  arise  the  light  of 
Peace,  like 

"Another  morn 
Risen  on  mid-noon 

and  the  sky  on  which  you  closed  your  eyes  was  cloudless. 

But — ah !  Him !  the  first  great  martyr  in  this  great 
cause !  Him  !  the  premature  victim  of  his  own  self-devoting 
heart !  Him !  the  head  of  our  civil  councils  and  the  destined 
leader  of  our  military  bands,  whom  nothing  brought  hither 
but  the  unquenchable  fire  of  his  own  spirit ;  him !  cut  off  by 
Providence  in  the  hour  of  overwhelming  anxiety  and  thick 
gloom ;  falling  ere  he  saw  the  star  of  his  country  rise ;  pour 
ing  out  his  generous  blood  like  water  before  he  knew 
whether  it  would  fertilize  a  land  of  freedom  or  of  bondage  I 
how  shall  I  struggle  with  the  emotions  that  stifle  the  utter- 


138  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ance  of  thy  name!  Our  poor  work  may  perish,  but  thine 
shall  endure !  This  monument  may  moulder  away ;  the  solid 
ground  it  rests  upon  may  sink  down  to  a  level  with  the  sea, 
but  thy  memory  shall  not  fail !  Wheresoever  among  men  a 
heart  shall  be  found  that  beats  to  the  transports  of  patriot 
ism  and  liberty,  its  aspirations  shall  be  to  claim  kindred  with 
thy  spirit ! 

But  the  scene  amid  which  we  stand  does  not  permit  us 
to  confine  our  thoughts  or  our  sympathies  to  those  fearless 
spirits  who  hazarded  or  lost  their  lives  on  this  consecrated 
spot.  We  have  the  happiness  to  rejoice  here  in  the  presence 
of  a  most  worthy  representation  of  the  survivors  of  the 
whole  Revolutionary  army. 

Veterans,  you  are  the  remnant  of  many  a  well-fought 
field.  You  bring  with  you  marks  of  honor  from  Trenton 
and  Monmouth,  from  Yorktown,  Camden,  Bennington,  and 
Saratoga.  Veterans  of  half  a  century,  when  in  your  youth 
ful  days  you  put  everything  at  hazard  in  your  country's 
cause,  good  as  that  cause  was,  and  sanguine  as  youth  is,  still 
your  fondest  hopes  did  not  stretch  onward  to  an  hour  like 
this !  At  a  period  to  which  you  could  not  reasonably  have 
expected  to  arrive ;  at  a  moment  of  national  prosperity,  such 
as  you  could  never  have  foreseen,  you  are  now  met  here  to 
enjoy  the  fellowship  of  old  soldiers  and  to  receive  the  over 
flowings  of  a  universal  gratitude. 

But  your  agitated  countenances  and  your  heaving  breasts 
inform  me  that  even  this  is  not  an  unmixed  joy.  I  perceive 
that  a  tumult  of  contending  feelings  rushes  upon  you.  The 
images  of  the  dead,  as  well  as  the  person  of  the  living, 
throng  to  your  embraces.  The  scene  overwhelms  you,  and  I 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  139 

turn  from  it.  May  the  Father  of  all  mercies  smile  upon 
your  declining  years  and  bless  them !  And  when  you  shall 
here  have  exchanged  your  embraces;  when  you  shall  once 
more  have  pressed  the  hands  which  have  been  so  often  ex 
tended  to  give  succor  in  adversity,  or  grasped  in  the  exul 
tation  of  victory;  then  look  abroad  into  this  lovely  land, 
which  your  young  valor  defended,  and  mark  the  happiness 
with  which  it  is  filled ;  yea,  look  abroad  into  the  whole  earth 
and  see  what  a  name  you  have  contributed  to  give  to  your 
country,  and  what  a  praise  you  have  added  to  freedom,  and 
then  rejoice  in  the  sympathy  and  gratitude  which  beam  upon 
your  last  days  from  the  improved  condition  of  mankind. 

The  occasion  does  not  require  of  me  any  particular  ac 
count  of  the  battle  of  the  seventeenth  of  June,  nor  any  de 
tailed  narrative  of  the  events  which  immediately  preceded  it. 
These  are  familiarly  known  to  all.  In  the  progress  of  the 
great  and  interesting  controversy,  Massachusetts  and  the 
town  of  Boston  had  become  early  and  marked  objects  of 
the  displeasure  of  the  British  Parliament.  This  had  been 
manifested  in  the  act  for  altering  the  government  of  the 
Province,  and  that  for  the  shutting  up  the  port  of  Boston. 
Nothing  sheds  more  honor  on  our  early  history,  and  nothing 
better  shows  how  little  the  feelings  and  sentiments  of  the 
Colonies  were  known  or  regarded  in  England,  than  the  im 
pression  which  these  measures  everywhere  produced  in 
America.  It  had  been  anticipated  that  while  the  other  Col 
onies  would  be  terrified  by  the  severity  of  the  punishment 
inflicted  on  Massachusetts,  the  other  seaports  would  be  gov 
erned  by  a  mere  spirit  of  gain ;  and  that,  as  Boston  was  now 
cut  off  from  all  commerce,  the  unexpected  advantage  which 


I4o  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

this  blow  on  her  was  calculated  to  confer  on  other  towns 
would  be  greedily  enjoyed.  How  miserably  such  reasoners 
deceived  themselves!  How  little  they  knew  of  the  depth, 
and  the  strength,  and  the  intenseness  of  that  feeling  of  re 
sistance  to  illegal  acts  of  power  which  possessed  the  whole 
American  people.  Everywhere  the  unworthy  boon  was  re 
jected  with  scorn.  The  fortunate  occasion  was  seized  every 
where  to  show  to  the  whole  world  that  the  Colonies  were 
swayed  by  no  local  interest,  no  partial  interest,  no  selfish  in 
terest.  The  temptation  to  profit  by  the  punishment  of  Bos 
ton  was  strongest  to  our  neighbors  of  Salem.  Yet  Salem 
was  precisely  the  place  where  this  miserable  proffer  was 
spurned  in  a  tone  of  the  most  lofty  self-respect  and  the  most 
indignant  patriotism.  "We  are  deeply  affected,"  said  its  in 
habitants,  "with  the  sense  of  our  public  calamities ;  but  the 
miseries  that  are  now  rapidly  hastening  on  our  brethren  in 
the  capital  of  the  Province  greatly  excite  our  commiseration. 
By  shutting  up  the  port  of  Boston  some  imagine  that  the 
course  of  trade  might  be  turned  hither,  and  to  our  benefit ; 
but  we  must  be  dead  to  every  idea  of  justice,  lost  to  all  feel 
ings  of  humanity,  could  we  indulge  a  thought  to  seize  on 
wealth  and  raise  our  fortunes  on  the  ruin  of  our  suffering 
neighbors."  These  noble  sentiments  were  not  confined  to 
our  immediate  vicinity.  In  that  day  of  general  affection 
and  brotherhood,  the  blow  given  to  Boston  smote  on  every 
patriotic  heart,  from  one  end  of  the  countrty  to  the  other. 
Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  as  well  as  Connecticut  and  New 
Hampshire,  felt  and  proclaimed  the  cause  to  be  their  own. 
The  Continental  Congress,  then  holding  its  first  session  in 
Philadelphia,  expressed  its  sympathy  for  the  suffering  in- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  141 

habitants  of  Boston,  and  addressees  were  received  from  all 
quarters  assuring  them  that  the  cause  was  a  common  one, 
and  should  be  met  by  common  efforts  and  common  sacrifices. 
The  Congress  of  Massachusetts  responded  to  these  assur 
ances;  and  in  an  address  to  the  Congress  of  Philadelphia, 
bearing  the  official  signature,  perhaps  among  the  last  of  the 
immortal  Warren,  notwithstanding  the  severity  of  its  suffer 
ing  and  the  magnitude  of  the  dangers  which  threatened  it, 
it  was  declared  that  this  Colony  "is  ready,  at  all  times,  to 
spend  and  to  be  spent  in  the  cause  of  America." 

But  the  hour  drew  nigh  which  was  to  put  professions  to 
the  proof  and  to  determine  whether  the  authors  of  these 
mutual  pledges  were  ready  to  seal  them  in  blood.  The  tid 
ings  of  Lexington  and  Concord  had  no  sooner  spread  than 
it  was  wniversally  felt  that  the  time  was  at  last  come  for  ac 
tion.  A  spirit  pervaded  all  ranks,  not  transient,  not  boister 
ous,  but  deep,  solemn,  determined — 

"  Totamque  infusa  per  artus 
Mens  agitat  molem,  et  magno  Be  corpore  miscet." 

War,  on  their  own  soil  and  at  their  own  doors,  was,  indeed, 
a  strange  work  to  the  yeomanry  of  New  England ;  but  their 
consciences  were  convinced  of  its  necessity,  their  country 
called  them  to  it  and  they  did  not  withold  themselves  from 
the  perilous  trial.  The  ordinary  occupations  of  life  were 
abandoned ;  the  plow  was  stayed  in  the  unfinished  furrow ; 
wives  gave  up  their  husbands,  and  mothers  gave  up  their 
sons  to  the  battles  of  a  civil  war.  Death  might  come,  in 
honor,  on  the  field ;  it  might  come,  in  disgrace,  on  the  scaf 
fold.  For  either  and  for  both  they  were  prepared.  The 
sentiment  of  Quincy  was  full  in  their  hearts.  "Blandish- 


I42  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ments,"  said  that  distinguished  son  of  genius  and  patriotism, 
"will  not  fascinate  us,  nor  will  threats  of  a  halter  intimi 
date;  for,  under  God,  we  are  determined  that  wheresoever, 
whensoever,  or  howsoever  we  shall  be  called  to  make  our 
exit,  we  will  die  free  men." 

The  seventeenth  of  June  saw  the  four  New  England 
Colonies  standing  here,  side  by  side,  to  triumph  or  to  fall  to 
gether;  and  there  was  with  them  from  that  moment  to  the 
end  of  the  war,  what  I  hope  will  remain  with  them  forever — 
one  cause,  one  country,  one  heart. 

The  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  attended  with  the  most 
important  effects  beyond  its  immediate  result  as  a  military 
engagement.  It  created  at  once  a  state  of  open,  public  war. 
There  could  now  be  no  longer  a  question  of  proceeding 
against  individuals  as  guilty  of  treason  or  rebellion.  That 
fearful  crisis  was  past.  The  appeal  now  lay  to  the  sword, 
and  the  only  question  was  whether  the  spirit  and  the  re 
sources  of  the  people  would  hold  out  till  the  object  should 
be  accomplished.  Nor  were  its  general  consequences  con 
fined  to  our  own  country.  The  previous  proceedings  of  the 
Colonies,  their  appeals,  resolutions,  and  addresses  had  made 
their  cause  known  to  Europe.  Without  boasting,  we  may 
say  that  in  no  age  or  country  has  the  public  cause  been 
maintained  with  more  force  of  argument,  more  power  of 
illustration,  or  more. of  that  persuasion  which  excited  feel 
ing  and  elevated  principle  can  alone  bestow,  than  the  Revo 
lutionary  State  papers  exhibit.  These  papers  will  forever 
deserve  to  be  studied,  not  only  for  the  spirit  which  they 
breathe,  but  for  the  ability  with  which  they  were  written. 

To  this  able  vindication  of  their  cause,  the  Colonies  had 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  143 

now  added  a  practical  and  severe  proof  of  their  own  true 
devotion  to  it,  and  evidence  also  of  the  power  which  they 
could  bring  to  its  support.  All  now  saw  that  if  America 
fell,  she  would  not  fall  without  a  struggle.  Men  felt  sympa 
thy  and  regard  as  well  as  surprise  when  they  beheld  these 
infant  States,  remote,  unknown,  unaided,  encounter  the 
power  of  England,  and  in  the  first  considerable  battle  leave 
more  of  their  enemies  dead  on  the  field,  in  proportion  to  the 
number  of  combatants,  than  they  had  recently  known  in  the 
wars  of  Europe. 

Information  of  these  events  circulating  through  Europe 
at  length  reached  the  ears  of  one  who  now  hears  me.  He 
has  not  forgotten  the  emotion  which  the  fame  of  Bunker 
Hill  and  the  name  of  Warren  excited  in  his  youthful  breast. 

Sir,  we  are  assembled  to  commemorate  the  establishment 
of  great  public  principles  of  liberty,  and  to  do  honor  to  the 
distinguished  dead.  The  occasion  is  too  severe  for  eulogy 
to  the  living.  But,  sir,  your  interesting  relation  to  this  coun 
try,  the  peculiar  circumstances  which  surround  you  and  sur 
round  us,  call  on  me  to  express  the  happiness  which  we  de 
rive  from  your  presence  and  aid  in  this  solemn  commemor 
ation. 

Fortunate,  fortunate  man!  with  what  measure  of  devo 
tion  will  you  not  thank  God  for  the  circumstances  of  your 
extraordinary  life!  You  are  connected  with  both  hemis 
pheres  and  with  two  generations.  Heaven  saw  fit  to  ordain 
that  electric  spark  of  liberty  should  be  conducted,  through 
you,  from  the  New  World  to  the  Old ;  and  we,  who  are  now 
here  to  perform  this  duty  of  patriotism,  have  all  of  us  long 
ago  received  it  in  charge  from  our  fathers  to  cherish  your 


I44  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

name  and  your  virtues.  You  will  account  it  an  instance  of 
your  good  fortune,  sir,  that  you  crossed  the  seas  to  visit  us 
at  a  time  which  enables  you  to  be  present  at  this  solemnity. 
You  now  behold  the  field,  the  renown  of  which  reached  you 
in  the  heart  of  France,  and  caused  a  thrill  in  your  ardent 
bosom.  You  see  the  lines  of  the  little  redoubt  thrown  up  by 
the  incredible  diligence  of  Prescott ;  defended  to  the  last 
extremity,  by  his  lion-hearted  valor ;  and  within  which  the 
corner  stone  of  our  monument  has  now  taken  its  position. 
You  see  where  Warren  fell,  and  where  Parker,  Gardiner, 
McCleary,  Moore,  and  other  early  patriots  fell  with  him. 
Those  who  survived  that  day,  and  whose  lives  have  been 
prolonged  to  the  present  hour,  are  now  around  you.  Some 
of  them  you  have  known  in  the  trying  scenes  of  war.  Be 
hold!  they  now  stretch  forth  their  feeble  arms  to  embrace 
you.  Behold !  they  raise  their  trembling  voices  to  invoke 
the  blessing  of  God  on  you  and  yours  forever. 

Sir,  you  have  assisted  us  in  laying  the  foundation  of  this 
edifice.  You  have  heard  us  rehearse,  with  our  feeble  com 
mendation,  the  names  of  departed  patriots.  Sir,  monuments 
and  eulogy  belong  to  the  dead.  We  give  them  this  day  to 
Warren  and  his  associates.  On  other  occasions  they  have 
been  given  to  your  more  immediate  companions  in  arms,  to 
Washington,  to  Greene,  to  Gates,  Sullivan.,  and  Lincoln. 
Sir,  we  have  become  reluctant  to  grant  these,  our  highest 
and  last  honors,  further.  We  would  gladly  hold  them  yet 
back  from  the  little  remnant  of  that  immortal  band.  "Serus 
in  cerium  redcas."  Illustrious  as  are  your  merits,  yet  far, 
oh,  very  far  distant  be  the  day  when  any  inscription  shall 
bear  your  name,  or  any  tongue  pronounce  its  eulogy ! 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  145 

The  leading  reflection  to  which  this  occasion  seems  to 
invite  us  respects  the  great  changes  which  have  happened 
in  the  fifty  years  since  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  fought. 
And  it  peculiarly  marks  the  character  of  the  present  age 
that,  in  looking  at  these  changes  and  in  estimating  their  ef 
fect  on  our  condition,  we  are  obliged  to  consider,  not  what 
has  been  done  in  our  own  country  only,  but  in  others  also. 
In  these  interesting  times,  while  nations  are  making  separate 
and  individual  advances  in  improvement,  they  make,  too,  a 
common  progress ;  like  vessels  on  a  common  tide,  propelled 
by  the  gales  at  different  rates,  according  to  their  several 
structure  and  management,  but  all  moved  forward  by  one 
mighty  current  beneath,  strong  enough  to  bear  onward  what 
ever  does  not  sink  beneath  it. 

A  chief  distinction  of  the  present  day  is  a  community 
of  opinions  and  knowledge  among  men,  in  different  nations, 
existing  in  a  degree  heretofore  unknown.  Knowledge  has, 
in  our  time,  triumphed,  and  is  triumphing  over  distance, 
over  difference  of  languages,  over  diversity  of  habits, 
over  prejudice,  and  over  bigotry.  The  civilized  and 
Christian  world  is  fast  learning  the  great  lesson,  that 
difference  of  nation  does  not  imply  necessary  hostility,  and 
that  all  contact  need  not  be  war.  The  whole  world  is  be 
coming  a  common  field  for  intellect  to  act  in.  Energy  of 
mind,  genius,  power,  wheresoever  it  exists,  may  speak  out  in 
any  tongue,  and  the  world  will  hear  it.  A  great  chord  of 
sentiment  and  feeling  runs  through  two  continents  and  vi 
brates  over  both.  Every  breeze  wafts  intelligence  from 
country  to  country ;  every  wave  rolls  it ;  all  give  it  forth, 
and  all  in  turn  receive  it.  There  is  a  vast  commerce  of 


146  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ideas;  there  are  marts  and.  exchanges  for  intellectual  dis- 
c.oveiies,  and  a  wonderful  fellowship  of  those  individual  in- 
Idligencies  which  make  up  the  mind  and  opinion  of  the  age. 
Mind  is  the  great  lever  of  all  things ;  human  thought  is  the 
process  by  which  human  ends  are  ultimately  answered ;  and 
the  diffusion  of  knowledge,  so  astonishing  in  the  last  half 
-century,  has  rendered  innumerable  minds,  variously  gifted 
hy  nature,  competent  to  be  competitors,  or  fellow-workers, 
*m  the  theater  of  intellectual  operation. 

From  these  causes  important  improvements  have  taken 
p'ace  in  the  personal  condition  of  individuals.  Generally 
^peaking,  mankind  are  not  only  better  fed  and  better  clothed, 
but  they  are  able  also  to  enjoy  more  leisure;  they  possess 
Aiore  refinement  and  more  self-respect.  A  superior  tone  of 
education,  manners,  and  habits  prevails.  This  remark,  most 
*rue  in  its  application  to  our  own  country,  is  also  partly  true 
tvhen  applied  elsewhere.  It  is  proved  by  the  vastly  aug 
mented  consumption  of  those  articles  of  manufacture  and  of 
commerce  which  contribute  the  comforts  and  the  decencies 
of  life — an  augmentation  which  has  far  outrun  the  progress 
of  population.  And  while  the  unexampled  and  almost  in 
credible  use  of  machinery  would  seem  to  supply  the  place  of 
labor,  labor  still  finds  its  occupation  and  its  reward ;  so  wise 
ly  has  Providence  adjusted  men's  wants  and  desires  to  their 
condition  and  their  capacity. 

Any  adequate  survey,  however,  of  the  progress  made  in 
the  last  half  century,  in  the  polite  and  the  mechanic  arts,  in 
machinery  and  manufactures,  in  commerce  and  agriculture, 
in  letters  and  in  science,  would  require  volumes.  I  must  ab 
stain  wholly  from  these  subjects,  and  turn,  for  a  mo- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  147 

ment,  to  the  contemplation  of  what  has  been  done  on 
the  great  question  of  politics  and  government.  This  is  the 
master  topic  of  trte  age ;  and  during  the  whole  fifty  years,  it 
has  intensely  occupied  the  thoughts  of  men.  The  nature  of 
civil  government,  its  ends  and  uses,  have  been  canvassed 
and  investigated;  ancient  opinions  attacked  and  defended; 
new  ideas  recommended  and  resisted  by  whatever  power  the 
mind  of  man  could  bring  to  the  controversy.  From  the 
closet  and  the  public  halls  the  debate  has  been  transferred  to 
the  field ;  and  the  world  has  been  shaken  by  wars  of  un 
exampled  magnitude,  and  the  greatest  variety  of  fortune. 
A  day  of  peace  has  at  length  succeeded ;  and  now  that  the 
strife  has  subsided,  and  the  smoke  cleared  away,  we  begin 
to  see  what  has  actually  been  done,  permanently  changing 
the  state  and  condition  of  human  society.  And  without 
dwelling  on  particular  circumstances,  it  is  most  apparent 
that,  from  the  before-mentioned  causes  of  augmented  knowl 
edge  and  improved  individual  condition,  a  real,  substantial, 
and  important  change  has  taken  place,  and  is  taking  place, 
greatly  beneficial,  on  the  whole,  to  human  liberty  and  human 
happiness. 

The  great  wheel  of  political  revolution  began  to  move  in 
America.  Here  its  rotation  was  guarded,  regular,  and  safe. 
Transferred  to  the  other  continent,  from  unfortunate  but 
natural  causes,  it  received  an  irregular  and  violent  impulse; 
it  whirled  along  with  fearful  celerity,  till  at  length,  like  the 
chariot  wheel  in  the  races  of  antiquity,  it  took  fire  from 
the  rapidity  of  its  own  motion,  and  blazed  onward,  spreading 
conflagration  and  terror  around. 

We  learn  from  the  result  of  this  experiment  how  fortu- 


148  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

nate  was  our  own  condition,  and  how  admirably  the  char 
acter  of  our  people  was  calculated  for  making  the  great  ex 
ample  of  popular  governments.  The  possession  of  power 
did  not  turn  the  heads  of  the  American  people,  for  they  had 
long  been  in  the  habit  of  exercising  a  great  portion  of  self- 
control.  Although  the  paramount  authority  of  the  parent 
State  existed  over  them,  yet  a  large  field  of  legislation  had 
always  been  open  to  our  Colonial  assemblies.  They  were 
accustomed  to  representative  bodies  and  the  forms  of  free 
government ;  they  understood  the  doctrine  of  the  division  of 
power  among  the  different  branches  and  the  necessity  of 
checks  on  each.  The  character  of  our  countrymen,  more 
over,  was  sober,  moral,  and  religious ;  and  there  was  little  in 
the  change  to  shock  their  feelings  of  justice  and  humanity, 
or  even  to  disturb  an  honest  prejudice.  We  had  no  domestic 
throne  to  overturn,  no  privileged  orders  to  cast  down,  no 
violent  changes  of  property  to  encounter.  In  the  American 
Revolution,  no  man  sought  or  wished  for  more  than  to  de 
fend  and  enjoy  his  own.  None  hoped  for  plunder  or  for  spoil. 
Rapacity  was  unknown  to  it ;  the  axe  was  not  among  the  in 
struments  of  its  accomplishment;  and  we  all  know  that  it 
could  not  have  lived  a  single  day  under  any  well-founded 
imputation  of  possessing  a  tendency  adverse  to  the  Chris 
tian  religion. 

It  need  not  surprise  us  that,  under  circumstances  less 
auspicious,  political  revolutions  elsewhere,  even  when  well 
intended,  have  terminated  differently.  It  is,  indeed,  a  great 
achievement,  it  is  the  master-work  of  the  world,  to  establish 
governments  entirely  popular,  on  lasting  foundations ;  nor 
is  it  easy,  indeed,  to  introduce  the  popular  principle  at  all 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  149 

into  governments  to  which  it  has  been  altogether  a  stranger. 
It  cannot  be  doubted,  however,  that  Europe"  has  come  out 
of  the  contest,  in  which  she  has  been  so  long  engaged,  with 
greatly  superior  knowledge,  and,  in  many  respects,  a  highly 
improved  condition.  Whatever  benefit  has  been  acquired  is 
likely  to  be  retained  for  it  consists  mainly  in  the  acquisition 
of  more  enlightened  ideas.  And  although  kingdoms  and 
provinces  may  be  wrested  from  the  hands  that  hold  them,  in 
the  same  manner  they  were  obtained ;  although  ordinary  and 
vulgar  power  may,  in  human  affairs,  be  lost  as  it  has  been 
won,  yet  it  is  the  glorious  prerogative  of  the  empire  of 
knowledge,  that  what  it  gains  it  never  loses.  On  the  con 
trary,  it  increases  by  the  multiple  of  its  own  power;  all  its 
ends  become  means ;  all  its  attainments  help  to  new  con 
quests.  Its  whole  abundant  harvest  is  but  so  much  seed 
wheat,  and  nothing  has  ascertained,  and  nothing  can  ascer 
tain,  the  amount  of  ultimate  product. 

Under  the  influence  of  this  rapidly  increasing  knowledge, 
the  people  have  begun,  in  all  forms  of  government,  to  think 
and  to  reason  on  affairs  of  state.  Regarding  government  as 
an  institution  for  the  public  good,  they  demand  a  knowledge 
of  its  operations  and  a  participation  in  its  exercise.  A  call 
for  the  representative  system,  wherever  it  is  not  enjoyed, 
and  where  there  is  already  intelligence  enough  to  estimate 
its  value,  is  perseveringly  made.  Where  men  may  speak  out, 
they  demand  it ;  where  the  bayonet  is  at  their  throats  they 
pray  for  it. 

When  Louis  XIV.  said:  "I  am  the  State,"  he  expressed 
the  essence  of  the  doctrine  of  unlimited  power.  By  the  rules 
of  that  system,  the  people  are  disconnected  from  the  State; 


150  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

they  are  its  subjects;  it  is  their  lord.  These  ideas,  founded 
in  the  love  of  power,  and  long  supported  by  the  excess  and 
abuse  of  it,  are  yielding  in  our  age  to  other  opinions;  the 
conviction  of  that  fundamental  and  manifest  truth,  that  the 
powers  of 'government  are  but  a  trust,  and  that  they  cannot 
be  lawfully  exercised  but  for  the  good  of  the  community. 
As  knowledge  is  more  and  more  extended,  this  conviction 
becomes  more  and  more  general.  Knowledge,  in  truth,  is 
the  great  sun  in  the  firmament.  Life  and  power  are  scat 
tered  by  all  its  beams.  The  prayer  of  the  Grecian  combat 
ant,  when  enveloped  in  unnatural  clouds  and  darkness,  is 
the  appropriate  political  supplication  for  the  people  of  every 
country  not  yet  blessed  with  free  institutions : 

"Dispel  this  cloud,  the  light  of  heaven  restore ; 
Give  me  to  see — and  Ajax  asks  no  more." 

We  may  hope  that  the  growing  influence  of  enlightened 
sentiments  will  promote  the  permanent  peace  of  the  world. 
Wars,  to  maintain  family  alliances,  to  uphold  or  to  cast 
down  dynasties,  to  regulate  successions  to  thrones,  which 
have  occupied  so  much  room  in  the  history  of  modern  times, 
if  not  less  likely  to  happen  at  all,  will  be  less  likely  to  be 
come  general  and  involve  many  nations,  as  the  great  prin 
ciple  shall  be  more  and  more  established,  that  the  interest  of 
the  world  is  peace,  and  its  first  great  statute,  that  every 
nation  possess  the  power  of  establishing  a  government  for 
itself.  But  public  opinion  has  attained  also  an  influence 
over  governments  which  do  not  permit  the  popular  principle 
into  their  organization.  A  necessary  respect  for  the  judg 
ment  of  the  world  operates,  in  some  measure,  as  a  control 
over  the  most  unlimited  forms  of  authority.  It  is  owing, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  151 

perhaps,  to  this  truth,  that  the  interesting  struggle  of  the 
Greeks  has  been  suffered  to  go  on  so  long,  without  a  direct 
interference,  either  to  wrest  that  country  from  its  present 
masters,  and  add  it  to  other  powers,  or  to  execute  the  system 
of  pacification  by  force,  and,  with  united  strength,  lay  the 
neck  of  Christian  and  civilized  Greece  at  the  foot  of  the  bar 
barian  Turk.  Let  us  thank  God  that  we  live  in  an  age  when 
something  has  influence  besides  the  bayonet,  and  when  the 
sternest  authority  does  not  venture  to  encounter  the  scorch 
ing  power  of  public  reproach.  Any  attempt  of  the  kind  I 
have  mentioned  should  be  met  by  one  universal  burst  of 
indignation ;  the  air  of  the  civilized  world  ought  to  be  made 
too  warm  to  be  comfortably  breathed  by  any  who  would 
hazard  it. 

It  is,  indeed  a  touching  reflection,  that  while,  in  the  full 
ness  of  our  country's  happiness,  we  rear  this  monument  to 
her  honor,  we  look  for  instruction  in  our  undertaking,  to  a 
country  which  is  now  in  fearful  contest,  not  for  works  of 
art  or  memorials  of  glory,  but  for  her  own  existence.  Let 
her  be  assured  that  she  is  not  forgotten  in  the  world ;  that 
her  efforts  are  applauded,  and  that  constant  prayers  ascend 
for  her  success.  And  let  us  cherish  a  confident  hope  for  her 
final  triumph.  If  the  true  spark  of  .religious  and  civil  lib 
erty  be  kindled,  it  will  burn.  Human  agency  cannot  extin 
guish  it.  Like  the  earth's  central  fire,  it  may  be  smothered 
for  a  time ;  the  ocean  may  overwhelm  it ;  mountains  may 
press  it  down ;  but  its  inherent  and  unconquerable  force  will 
heave  both  the  ocean  and  the  land,  and  at  some  time  or 
another,  in  some  place  or  another,  the  volano  will  break  out 
and  flame  up  to  heaven. 


152  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

Among  the  great  events  of  the  half-century,  we  must 
reckon,  certainly,  the  revolution  of  South  America;  and  we 
are  not  likely  to  overrate  the  importance  of  that  revolution, 
either  to  the  people  of  the  country  itself  or  to  the  rest  of  the 
world.  The  late  Spanish  Colonies,  now  independent  States, 
under  circumstances  less  favorable,  doubtless,  than  attended 
our  own  Revolution,  have  yet  successfully  commenced  their 
national  existence.  They  have  accomplished  the  great  ob 
ject  of  establishing  their  independence ;  they  are  known  and 
acknowledged  in  the  world ;  and,  although  in  regard  to  their 
systems  of  government,  their  sentiments  on  religious  toler 
ation,  and  their  provisions  for  public  instruction,  they  may 
have  yet  much  to  learn,  it  must  be  admitted  that  they  have 
risen  to  the  condition  of  settled  and  established  States  more 
rapidly  than  could  have  been  reasonably  anticipated.  They 
already  furnish  an  exhilarating  example  of  the  difference 
between  free  governments  and  despotic  misrule.  Their  com 
merce  at  this  moment  creates  a  new  activity  in  all  the  great 
marts  of  the  world.  They  show  themselves  able  by  an  ex 
change  of  commodities  to  bear  a  useful  part  in  the  inter 
course  of  nations.  A  new  spirit  of  enterprise  and  industry 
begins  to  prevail ;  all  the  great  interests  of  society  receive  a 
salutary  impulse;  and  the  progress  of  information  not  only 
testifies  to  an  improved  condition,  but  constitutes  itself  the 
highest  and  most  essential  improvement. 

When  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  fought,  the  existence 
of  South  America  was  scarcely  felt  in  the  civilized  world. 
The  thirteen  little  Colonies  of  North  America  habitually 
called  themselves  the  "Continent."  Borne  down  by  Colonial 
subjugation,  monopoly,  and  bigotry,  these  vast  regions  of 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  153 

the  South  were  hardly  visible  above  the  horizon.  But  in 
oui  day  there  hath  been,  as  it  were,  a  new  creation.  The 
Southern  Hemisphere  emerges  from  the  sea.  Its  lofty  moun 
tains  begin  to  lift  themselves  into  the  light  of  heaven;  its 
broad  and  fertile  plains  stretch  out  in  beauty  to  the  eye  of 
civilized  man  and  at  the  mighty  being  of  the  voice  of  politi 
cal  liberty,  the  waters  of  darkness  retire. 

And  now  let  us  indulge  an  honest  exultation  in  the  con 
viction  of  the  benefit  which  the  example  of  our  country  has 
produced  and  is  likely  to  produce  on  human  freedom  and 
human  happiness.  And  let  us  endeavor  to  comprehend  in 
all  its  magnitude  and  to  feel  in  all  its  importance  the  part 
assigned  to  us  in  the  great  drama  of  human  affairs.  We  are 
placed  at  the  head  of  the  system  of  representative  and  popu 
lar  governments.  Thus  far  our  example  shows  that  such  gov 
ernments  are  compatible,  not  only  with  respectability  and 
power,  but  with  repose,  with  peace,  with  security  of  personal 
rights,  with  good  laws  and  a  just  administration. 

We  are  not  propagandists.  Wherever  other  systems  are 
preferred,  either  as  being  thought  better  in  themselves  or  as 
better  suited  to  existing  conditions,  we  leave  the  preference 
to  be  enjoyed.  Our  history  hitherto  proves,  however,  that 
the  popular  form  is  practicable  and  that,  with  wisdom  and 
knowledge,  men  may  govern  themselves ;  and  the  duty  in- 
cunlbent  on  us  is  to  preserve  the  consistency  of  this  cheering 
example  and  take  care  that  nothing  may  weaken  its  author- 


154  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ity  with  the  world.  If  in  our  case  the  representative  system 
ultimately  fail,  popular  governments  must  be  pronounced  im 
possible.  No  combination  of  circumstances  more  favorable 
to  the  experiment  can  ever  be  expected  to  occur.  The  last 
hopes  of  mankind,  therefore,  rest  with  us ;  and  if  it  should 
be  proclaimed  that  our  example  had  become  an  argument 
against  the  experiment,  the  knell  of  popular  liberty  would  be 
sounded  throughout  the  earth. 

These  are  incitements  to  duty;  but  they  are  not  sugges 
tions  of  doubt.  Our  history  and  our  condition,  all  that  is 
gone  before  us  and  all  that  surrounds  us,  authorize  the  belief 
that  popular  governments,  though  subject  to  occasional  vari 
ations,  perhaps  not  always  for  the  better  in  form,  may  yet  in 
their  general  character  be  as  durable  and  as  permanent  as 
other  systems.  We  know,  indeed,  that  in  our  country  any 
other  is  impossible.  The  principle  of  free  governments  ad 
heres  to  the  American  soil.  It  is  bedded  in  it — immovable  as 
its  mountains. 

And  let  the  sacred  obligations  which  have  devolved  on 
this  generation  and  on  us  sink  deep  -into  our  hearts.  Those 
are  daily  dropping  from  among  us  who  established  our  lib 
erty  and  our  government.  The  great  trust  now  descends 
to  new  hands.  Let  us  apply  ourselves  to  that  which  is  pre 
sented  to  us  as  our  appropriate  object.  We  can  win  no 
laurels  in  a  war  for  independence.  Earlier  and  worthier 
hands  have  gathered  them  all.  Nor  are  there  places  for  us 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  155 

by  the  side  of  Solon  and  Alfred,  and  other  founders  of 
States.  Our  fathers  have  filled  them.  But  there  remains 
to  us  a  great  duty  of  defense  and  preservation ;  and  there  is 
opened  to  us  also  a  noble  pursuit  to  which  the  spirit  of  the 
times  strongly  invites  us.  Our  proper  business  is  improve 
ment.  Let  our  age  be  the  age  of  improvement.  In  a  day 
of  peace  let  us  advance  the  arts  of  peace.  Let  us  develop 
the  resources  of  our  land,  call  forth  its  powers,  build  up  its 
institutions,  promote  all  its  great  interests,  and  see  whether 
we  also,  in  our  day  and  generation,  may  not  perform  some 
thing  worthy  to  be  remembered.  Let  us  cultivate  a  true 
spirit  of  union  and  harmony.  In  pursuing  the  great  objects 
which  our  condition  points  out  to  us,  let  us  act  under  a  set 
tled  conviction,  and  a  habitual  feeling  that  these  twenty-four 
States  are  one  country.  Let  our  conceptions  be  enlarged  to 
the  circle  of  our  duties.  Let  us  extend  our  ideas  over  the 
whole  of  the  vast  field  in  which  we  are  called  to  act.  Let 
our  object  be  our  country,  our  whole  country,  and  nothing 
but  our  country.  And  by  the  blessing  of  God  may  that 
country  itself  become  a  vast  and  splendid  monument,  not  of 
oppression  and  terror,  but  of  wisdom,  of  peace,  and  of  lib 
erty,  upon  which  the  world  may  gaze  with  admiration,  for 
ever. 


156  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

AT  PLYMOUTH  IN  1820. 

From  the  Discourse  in  Commemoration  of  the  First  Settlement  of  New  England. 
Delivered  at  Plymouth,  December  22. 1820. 

THERE  may  be,  and  there  often  is,  indeed,  a  regard  for  ances 
try,  which  nourishes  only  a  weak  pride;  as  there  is  also  a 
care  for  posterity,  which  only  disguises  a  habitual  avarice, 
or  hides  the  workings  of  a  low  and  groveling  vanity.  But  there  is  also 
a  moral  and  philosophical  respect  for  our  ancestors,  which  elevates  the 
character  and  improves  the  heart.  Next  to  the  sense  of  religious 
duty  and  moral  feeling,  I  hardly  know  what  should  bear  with 
stronger  obligation  on  a  liberal  and  enlightened  mind  than  a  con 
sciousness  of  alliance  with  excellence  which  is  departed;  and  a  con 
sciousness,  too,  that  in  its  acts  and  conduct,  and  even  in  its  senti 
ments  and  thoughts,  it  may  be  actively  operating  on  the  happiness 
of  those  who  come  after  it.  Poetry  is  found  to  have  few  stronger 
conceptions,  by  which  it  would  affect  or  overwhelm  the  mind, 
than  those  in  which  it  presents  the  moving  and  speaking  image 
of  the  departed  dead  to  the  senses  of  the  living.  This  belongs  to 
poetry,  only  because  it  is  congenial  to  our  nature.  Poetry  is,  in 
this  respect,  but  the  handmaid  of  true  philosophy  and  morality; 
it  deals  with  us  as  human  beings,  naturally  reverencing  those 
whose  visible  connection  with  this  state  of  existence  is  severed, 
and  who  may  yet  exercise  we  know  not  what  sympathy  with  our 
selves;  and  when  it  carries  us  forward  also,  and  shows  us  the  long- 
continued  result  of  all  the  good  we  do,  in  the  prosperity  of  those 
who  follow  us,  till  it  bears  us  from  ourselves,  and  absorbs  us  in  an 
intense  interest  for  what  shall  happen  to  the  generations  after  us 
— it  speaks  only  in  the  language  of  our  nature,  and  affects  us  with 
sentiments  which  belong  to  us  as  human  beings. 

Standing  in  this  relation  to  our  ancestors  and  our  posterity,  we 
are  assembled  on  this  memorable  spot,  to  perform  the  duties  which 
that  relation  and  the  present  occasion  impose  upon  us.  We  have 
oome  to  this  Rock,  to  record  here  our  homage  for  our  Pilgrim 
Fathers;  our  sympathy  in  their  sufferings;  our  gratitude  for  their 
la-bors;  our  admiration  for  their  virtues;  our  veneration  for  their 
piety;  and  our  attachment  to  those  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty  which  they  encountered  the  dangers  of  the  ocean,  the  storms 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  157 

of  heaven,  the  violence  of  savages,  disease,  exile,  and  famine,  to 
enjoy  and  establish.  And  we  would  leave  here  also,  for  the  gen 
erations  which  are  rising  up  rapidly  to  fill  our  places,  some  proof 
that  we  have  endeavored  to  transmit  the  greater  inheritance  unim 
paired;  that  in  our  estimate  of  public  principles  and  private  vir 
tue,  in  our  veneration  of  religion  and  piety,  in  our  devotion  to  reli 
gious  and  civil  liberty,  in  our  regard  to  whatever  advances  human 
knowledge  or  improves  happiness,  we  are  not  altogether  unworthy  of 
our  origin. 

The  hours  of  this  day  are  rapidly  flying,  and  this  occasion  will 
soon  be  passed.  Neither  we  nor  our  children  can  expect  to  behold  its 
return.  They  are  in  the  distant  regions  of  futurity;  they  exist  only 
in  the  all-creating  power  of  God,  who  shall  stand  here  a  hundred 
years  hence,  to  trace,  through  us,  their  descent  from  the  Pilgrims, 
and  to  survey,  as  we  have  surveyed,  the  progress  of  their  country 
during  the  lapse  of  a  century.  We  would  anticipate  their  concur 
rence  with  us  in  our  sentiments  of  deep  regard  for  our  common  ances 
tors.  We  would  anticipate  and  partake  the  pleasure  with  which 
they  will  then  recount  the  steps  of  New  England's  advancement. 
On  the  morning  of  that  day,  although  it  will  not  disturb  us  in  our 
repose,  the  voice  of  acclamation  and  gratitude,  commencing  on  the 
Rock  of  Plymouth,  shall  be  transmitted  through  millions  of  the 
sons  of  the  Pilgrims,  till  it  lose  itself  in  the  murmurs  of  the  Pa 
cific  seas. 

We  wrould  leave  for  the  consideration  of  those  who  shall  then 
occupy  our  places  some  proof  that  we  hold  the  blessings  transmitted 
from  our  fathers  in  just  estimation;  some  proof  of  our  attach 
ment  to  the  cause  of  good  government  and  of  civil  and  religious  lib 
erty;  some  proof  of  a  sincere  and  ardent  desire  to  promote  every 
thing  which  may  enlarge  the  understandings  and  improve  the  hearts 
of  men.  And  when,  from  the  long  distance  of  a  hundred  years,  they 
shall  look  back  upon  us,  they  shall  know  at  least  that  we  pos 
sessed  affections,  which,  running  backward  and  warming  with 
gratitude  for  what  our  ancestors  have  done  for.  our  happiness,  run 
forward  also  to  our  posterity,  and  meet  them  with  cordial  saluta 
tion,  ere  yet  they  have  arrived  on  the  shore  of  being. 

Advance,  then,  ye  future  generations!  We  would  hail  you, 
as  you  rise  in  your  long  succession,  to  fill  the  places  which  we  now 


158  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

fill,  and  to  taste  the  blessings  of  existence  where  we  are  now  pass 
ing,  and  soon  shall  have  passed,  our  own  human  duration.  We  bid 
you  welcome  to  this  pleasant  land  of  our  fathers.  We  bid  you  wel 
come  to  the  healthful  skies  and  the  verdant  fields  of  New  England. 
We  greet  your"  accession  to  the  great  inhertance  which  we  have 
enjoyed.  We  welcome  you  to  the  blessings  of  good  government  and 
religious  liberty.  We  welcome  you  to  the  treasures  of  science  and 
the  delights  of  learning.  We  welcome  you  to  the  transcendent  sweets 
of  domestic  life,  to  happiness  of  kindred,  and  parents,  and  children. 
We  welcome  you  to  the  immeasurable  blessings  of  rational  existence, 
the  immortal  hope  of  Christianity,  and  the  light  of  everlasting 
truth ! 


JOHN  ADAMS. 

From  a  Discourse  in  Commemoration  of  the  Lives  and  Services  of  John  Adams  and 
Thomas  Jefferson,  Faneuil  Hall,  Boston,  August  2, 1826. 

THE  eloquence  of  Mr.  Adams  resembled  his  general  character, 
and  formed,  indeed,  a  part  of  it.  It  was  bold,  manly,  and 
energetic;  and  such  the  crisis  required.  Wlien  public  bodies 
are  to  be  addressed  on  momentous  occasions,  when  great  interests  are 
at  stake,  and  strong  passions  excited,  nothing  is  valuable  in  speech 
further  than  as  it  is  connected  with  high  intellectual  and  moral  en 
dowments.  Clearness,  force,  and  earnestness  are  the  qualities  which 
produce  conviction.  True  eloquence,  indeed,  does  not  consist  in  speech. 
It  cannot  be  brought  from  far.  Labor  and  learning  may  toil  for  it, 
but  they  will  toil  in  vain.  Words  and  phrases  may  be  marshalled 
in  every  way,  but  they  cannot  compass  it.  It  must  exist  in  the  man, 
in  the  subject,  and  in  the  occasion.  Affected  passion,  intense  ex 
pression,  the  pomp  of  declamation,  all  may  aspire  to  it;  they  cannot 
reach  it.  It  comes,  if  it  come  at  all,  like  the  outbreaking  of  a  foun 
tain  from  the  earth,  or  the  bursting  forth  of  volcanic  fires,  with 
spontaneous,  original,  native  force.  The  graces  taught  in  the 
schools,  the  costly  ornaments  and  studied  contrivances  of  speech, 
shock  and  disgust  men,  when  their  own  lives,  and  the  fate  of  their 
wives,  their  children,  and  their  country,  hang  on  the  decision  of 
the  hour.  Then  words  have  lost  their  power,  rhetoric  is  vain,  and 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  159 

all  elaborate  oratory  contemptible.  Even  genius  itself  then  feels 
rebuked  and  subdued,  as  in  the  presence  of  higher  qualities.  Then 
patriotism  is  eloquent;  then  self-devotion  is  eloquent.  The  clear 
conception,  'outrunning  the  deductions  of  logic,  the  high  purpose, 
the  firm  resolve,  the  dauntless  spirit,  speaking  on  the  tongue,  beam 
ing  from  the  eye,  informing  every  feature,  and  urging  the  whole  man 
onward  to  his  object — this,  this  is  eloquence;  or  rather,  it  is  some 
thing  greater  and  higher  than  all  eloquence — it  is  action,  noble,  sub 
lime,  godlike  action. 

In  July,  1776,  the  controversy  had  passed  the  stage  of  argu 
ment.  An  appeal  had  been  made  to  force,  and  opposing  armies  were 
in  the  field.  Congress,  then,  was  to  decide  whether  the  tie  which  had 
so  long  bound  us  to  the  parent  State  was  to  be  severed  at  once,  and 
severed  forever.  All  the  Colonies  had  signified  their  resolution  to 
abide  by  this  decision,  and  the  people  looked  for  it  with  the  most  in 
tense  anxiety.  And  surely,  fellow  citizens,  never,  never  were  men 
called  to  a  more  important  political  deliberation.  If  we  contemplate 
it  from  the  point  where  they  then  stood,  no  question  could  be  more 
full  of  interest;  if  we  look  at  it  now,  and  judge  of  its  importance  by 
its  effects,  it  appears  of  still'  greater  magnitude. 

Let  us,  then,  bring  before  us  the  assembly,  which  was  about  to 
decide  a  question  thus  big  with  the  fate  of  empire.  Let  us  open 
their  doors  and  look  in  upon  their  deliberations.  Let  us  survey  the 
anxious  and  careworn  countenances,  let  us  hear  the  firm-toned 
voices,  of  this  band  of  patriots. 

Hancock  presides  over  the  solemn  sitting;  and  one  of  those  not 
yet  prepared  to  pronounce  for  absolute  independence  is  on  the 
floor,  and  is  urging  his  reasons  for  dissenting  from  the  Declara 
tion. 

"Let  us  pause!  This  step,  once  taken,  cannot  be  retraced.  This 
resolution,  once  passed,  will  cut  off  all  hope  of  reconciliation.  If  suc 
cess  attend  the  arms  of  England,  we  shall  then  no  longer  be  Colonies, 
with  charters  and  with  privileges;  these  will  all  be  forfeited  by  this 
act;  and  we  shall  be  in  the  condition  of  other  conquered  people,  at 
the  mercy  of  the  conquerors.  For  ourselves,  we  may  be  ready  to  run 
the  hazard;  but  are  we  ready  to  carry  the  country  to  that  length? 
Is  success  so  profitable  as  to  justify  it?  Where  is  the  military, 
where  the  naval  power,  by  which  we  are  to  resist  the  whole  strength 


160  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

of  the  arm  of  England — for  she  will  exert  that  strength  to  the  ut 
most?  or  will  they  not  act  as  the  people  of  other  countries  have 
acted,  and,  wearied  with  a  long  war,  submit,  in  the  end,  to  a  worse 
oppression?  While  we  stand  on  our  old  ground,  and  insist  on  re 
dress  of  grievances,  we  know  we  are  right,  and  are  not  answerable 
for  consequences.  Nothing,  then,  can  be  imputed  to  us.  But  if  we 
now  change  our  object,  carry  our  pretensions  further,  and  set  up  for 
absolute  independence,  we  shall  lose  the  sympathy  of  mankind.  We 
shall  no  longer  be  defending  what  we  possess,  but  struggling  for 
something  which  we  never  did  possess,  and  which  we  have  solemnly 
and  uniformly  disclaimed  all  intention  of  pursuing,  from  the  very 
outset  of  the  troubles.  Abandoning  thus  our  old  ground,  of  resist 
ance  only  to  arbitrary  acts  of  oppression,  the  nations  will  believe  the 
whole  to  have  been  mere  pretence,  and  they  will  look  on  us,  not  as 
injured,  but  as  ambitious  subjects.  I  shudder  before  this  responsi 
bility.  It  will  be  on  us,  if,  relinquishing  the  ground  on  which 
we  have  stood  so  long,  and  stood  so  safely,  we  now  proclaim  inde 
pendence,  and  carry  on  the  war  for  that  object,  while  these  cities 
burn,  these  pleasant  fields  whiten  and  bleach  with  the  bones  of 
their  owners,  and  these  streams  run  blood.  It  will  be  upon  us,  it 
will  be  upon  us,  if,  failing  to  maintain  this  unseasonable  and 
ill-judged  Declaration,  a  sterner  despotism,  maintained  by  military 
power,  shall  be  established  over  our  posterity,  when  we  ourselves, 
given  up  by  an  exhausted,  a  harassed,  a  misled  people,  shall  have  ex 
piated  our  rashness  and  atoned  for  our  presumption  on  the  scaffold." 

It  was  for  Mr.  Adams  to  reply  to  arguments  like  these.  We 
know  his*  opinions,  and  we  know  his  character.  He  would  com 
mence  with  his  accustomed  directness  and  earnestness. 

"Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish,  I  give  my  hand 
and  my  heart  to  this  vote.  It  is  true,  indeed,  that  in  the  beginning 
we  aimed  not  at  independence.  But  there's  a  Divinity  which 
shapes  our  ends.  The  injustice  of  England  has  driven  us  to  arms; 
and,  blinded  to  her  own  interest  for  our  good,  she  has  obstinately  per 
sisted,  till  independence  is  now  within  our  grasp.  We  have  but  to 
reach  forth  to  it,  and  it  is  ours.  Why,  then,  should  we  defer  the 
Declaration?  Is  any  man  so  weak  as  now  to  hope  for  reconciliation 
with  England,  which  shall  leave  either  safety  to  the  country  and  its 
liberties,  or  safety  to  his  own  life  and  his  own  honor?  Are  not  you, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  161 

sir,  who  sit  in  that  chair — is  not  he,  our  venerable  colleague  near  you 
— are  you  not  both  already  the  proscribed  and  predestined  objects  of 
punishment  and  vengeance?  Cut  off  from  all  hope  of  royal  clemency, 
what  are  you,  what  can  you  be,  while  the  power  of  England  remains, 
but  outlaws?  If  we  postpone  independence,  do  we  mean  to  carry  on, 
or  to  give  up,  the  war?  Do  we  mean  to  submit  to  the  measures  of 
Parliament,  Boston  Port  Bill  and  all?  Do  we  mean  to»  submit,  and 
consent  that  we  ourselves  shall  be  ground  to  powder,  and  our  coun 
try  and  its  rights  trodden  down  in  the  dust?  I  know  we  do  not 
mean  to  submit.  We  never  shall  submit.  Do  we  intend  to  violate 
that  most  solemn  obligation  ever  entered  into  by  men,  that  plighting, 
before  God.  of  our  sacred  honor  to  Washington,  when,  putting  him 
forth  to  incur  the  dangers  of  war,  as  well  as  the  political  hazards 
of  the  times,  we  promised  to  adhere  to  him,  in  every  extremity, 
with  cur  fortunes  and  our  lives?  I  know  that  there  is  not  a  man 
here  who  would  not  rather  see  a  general  conflagration  sweep  over 
the  land,  or  an  earthquake  sink  it,  than  one  jot  or  tittle  of  that 
plighted  faith  fall  to  the  ground.  For  myself,  having,  twelve  months 
ago,  in  this  place,  moved  you,  that  George  Washington  be  appoint 
ed  commander  of  the  forces  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  for  defence  of  Am 
erican  liberty,  may  my  right  hand  forget  her  cunning,  and  my 
tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  hesitate  or  waiver  in 
the  support  I  give  him. 

"The  war,  then,  must  go  on.  We  must  fight  it  through.  And 
if  the  war  must  go  on,  why  put  off  longer  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence?  That  measure  will  strengthen  us.  It  will  give  us  char 
acter  abroad.  The  nations  will  then  treat  with  us,  which  they  never 
can  do  while  we  acknowledge  ourselves  subjects,  in  arms  against 
our  soverign.  Xay,  I  maintain  that  England  herself  will  sooner 
treat  for  peace  with  us  on  the  footing  of  independence,  than  consent, 
by  repealing  her  acts,  to  acknowledge  that  her  whole  conduct  to 
ward  us  has  been  a  course  of  injustice  and  oppression.  Her  pride 
will  be  less  wounded  by  submitting  to  that  course  of  things  which 
now  predestinates  our  independence,  than  by  yielding  the  points  in 
controversy  to  her  rebellious  subjects.  The  former  she  would  regard 
as  the  result  of  fortune;  the  latter  she  would  feel  as  her  own  deep 
disgrace.  Why  then,  why  then,  sir,  do  we  not  as  soon  as  possible 
change  this  from  a  civil  to  a  national  war?  And  since  we  must 


iA>  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

fight  it  through,  why  not  put  ourselves  in  a  state  to  enjoy  all  the 
benefits  of  victory,  if  we  gain  the  victory? 

"If  we  fail  it  can  be  no  worse  for  us.  But  we  shall  not  fail. 
The  cause  will  raise  up  armies;  the  cause  will  create  navies.  The 
people,  the  people,  if  we  are  true  to  them,  will  carry  us,  and  will 
carry  themselves,  gloriously,  through  this  struggle.  I  care  not  how 
fickle  other  people  have  been  found.  I  know  the  people  of  these 
Colonies,  and  I  know  that  resistance  to  British  aggression  is  deep 
and  settled  in  their  hearts  and  cannot  be  eradicated.  Every  Colony, 
indeed,  has  expressed  its  willingness  to  follow,  if  we  but  take  the 
lead.  Sir,  the  Declaration  will  inspire  the  people  with  increased 
courage.  Instead  of  a  long  and  bloody  war  for  the  restoration  of 
privileges,  for  redress  of  grievances,  for  chartered  immunities,  held 
under  a  British  king,  set  before  them  the  glorious  object  of  entire 
independence,  and  it  will  breathe  into  them  anew  the  breath  of  life. 
Read  this  Declaration  at  the  head  of  the  army;  every  sword  will  be 
drawn  from  its  scabbard,  and  the  solemn  vow  uttered,  to  maintain 
it,  or  to  perish  on  the  bed  of  honor.  Publish  it  from  the  pulpit ; 
religion  will  approve  it,  and  the  love  of  religious  liberty  will  cling 
round  it,  resolved  to  stand  with  it,  or  fall  with  it.  Send  it  to  the 
public  halls;  proclaim  it  there;  let  them  hear  it  who  heard  the  first 
roar  of  the  enemy's  cannon;  let  them  see  it  who  saw  their  brothers 
and  their  sons  fall  on  the  field  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  in  the  streets  of 
Lexington  and  Concord,  and  the  very  walls  will  cry  out  in  its  sup 
port. 

"Sir,  I  know  the  uncertainty  of  human  affairs,  but  I  see,  I  see 
clearly,  through  this  day's  business.  You  and  I,  indeed,  may  rue 
it.  We  may  not  live  to  the  time  when  this  Declaration  shall  be 
made  good.  We  may  die;  die  Colonists;  die  slaves,  die,  it  may  be, 
ignominously  and  on  the  scaffold.  Be  it  so.  Be  it  so.  If  it  be  the 
pleasure  of  Heaven  that  my  country  shall  require  the  poor  offering 
of  my  life,  the  victim  shall  be  ready,  at  the  appointed  hour  of  sacri 
fice,  come  when  that  hour  may.  But  while  I  do  live,  let  me  have  a 
country,  or  at  least  the  hope  of  a  country,  and  that  a  free  country. 

"But  whatever  may  be  our  fate,  be  assured,  be  assured  that  this 
Declaration  will  stand.  It  may  cost  treasure,  and  it  may  cost  blood ; 
but  it  will  stand,  and  it  will  richly  compensate  for  both.  Through 
the  thick  gloom  of  the  present,  I  see  the  brightness  of  the  future, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  163 

as  the  sun  in  heaven.  We  shall  make  this  a  glorious,  an  immortal 
day.  When  we  are  in  our  graves,  our  children  will  honor  it.  They 
will  celebrate  it  with  thanksgiving,  with  festivity,  with  bonfires,  and 
illuminations.  On  its  annual  return  they  will  shed  tears,  copious, 
gushing  tears,  not  of  subjection  and  slavery,  not  of  agony  and  dis 
tress,  but  of  exultation,  of  gratitude,  and  of  joy.  Sir,  before  Godr 
I  believe  the  hour  is  come.  My  judgment  approves  this  measure, 
and  my  whole  heart  is  in  it.  All  that  I  have,  and  all  that  I  am,  and 
all  that  I  hope,  in  this  life,  I  am  now  ready  here  to  stake  upon  it; 
and  I  leave  off  as  I  began,  that  live  or  die,  survive  or  perish,  I  am 
for  the  Declaration.  It  is  my  living  sentiment,  and  by  the  blessing 
of  God  it  shall  be  my  dying  sentiment,  Independence  now,  and  Inde 
pendence  forever." 

And  so  that  day  shall  be  honored,  illustrious  prophet  and  patriot! 
so  that  day  shall  be  honored,  and  as  often  as  it  returns,  thy  renown 
shall  come  along  with  it,  and  the  glory  of  thy  life,  like  the  day  of 
thy  death,  shall  not  fail  from  the  remembrance  of  men. 

It  would  be  unjust,  fellow  citizens,  on  this  occasion,  while  we 
express  our  veneration  for  him  who  is  the  immediate  subject  of  these 
remarks,  were  we  to  omit  a  most  respectful,  affectionate,  and  grateful 
mention  of  those  other  great  men,  his  colleagues,  who  stood  with. him, 
and  with  the  same  spirit,  the  same  devotion,  took  part  in  the  inter 
esting  transaction.  Hancock,  the  proscribed  Hancock,  exiled  from  his 
home  by  a  military  governor,  cut  off  by  proclamation  from  the  mercy 
of  the  crown — Heaven  reserved  for  him  the  distinguished  honor  of 
putting  this  great  question  to  the  vote,  and  of  writing  his  own  name 
first,  and  most  conspicuously,  on  that  parchment  which  spoke  defi 
ance  to  the  power  of  the  crown  of  England.  There,  too,  is  the  name 
of  that  other  proscribed  patriot,  Samuel  Adams,  a  man  who  hungered 
and  thirsted  for  the  independence  of  his  country,  who  thought  the 
Declaration  halted  and  lingered,  being  himself  not  only  ready,  but 
eager,  for  it,  long  before  it  was  proposed;  a  man  of  the  deepest 
sagacity,  the  clearest  foresight,  and  the  profoundest  judgment  in 
men.  And  there  is  Gerry,  himself  among  the  earliest  and  the  fore 
most  of  the  patriots,  found,  when  the  battle  of  Lexington  summoned 
them  to  common  counsels,  by  the  side  of  Warren;  a  man  who  lived  to 
serve  his  country  at  home  and  abroad,  and  to  die  in  the  second  place 
in  the  government.  There,  too.  is  the  inflexible,  the  upright,  the 
Spartan  character,  Robert  Treat  Paine.  He  also  lived  to  serve  his 


164  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

country  through  the  struggle,  and  then  withdrew  from  her  councils, 
only  that  he  might  give  his  labors  and  his  life  to  his  native  State,  in 
another  relation.  These  names,  fellow  citizens,  are  the  treasures  of 
the  Commonwealth;  and  they  are  treasures  which  grow  brighter  by 
time. 


ON  THE  MURDER  OF  JOSEPH  WHITE. 

I  VERY  much  regret  that  it  should  have  been  thought  necessary  to 
suggest  to  you  that  I  am  brought  here  to  "hurry  you  against  the 
law  and  beyond  the  evidence."  I  hope  I  have  too  much  regard 
for  justice,  and  too  much  respect  for  my  own  character,  to  attempt 
•either;  and  were  I  to  make  such  an  attempt,  I  am  sure  that  in  this 
court  nothing  can  be  carried  against  the  law,  and  that  gentlemen, 
intelligent  and  just  as  you  are,  are  not,  by  any  power,  to  be  hurried 
beyond  the  evidence.  Though  I  could  well  have  wished  to  shun  this 
occasion,  I  have  not  felt  at  liberty  to  withhold  my  professional 
.assistance,  when  it  is  supposed  that  I  may  be  in  some  degree  useful 
in  investigating  and  discovering  the  truth  respecting  this  most  ex 
traordinary  murder.  It  has  seemed  to  be  a  duty  incumbent  on  me, 
as  on  every  other  citizen,  to  do  my  best  and  my  utmost  to  bring  to 
light  the  perpetrators  of  this  crime.  Against  the  prisoner  at  the  bar, 
as  an  individual,  I  cannot  have  the  slightest  prejudice.  I  would  not 
do  him  the  smallest  injury  or  injustice.  But  I  do  not  affect  to  be 
indifferent  to  the  discovery  and  the  punishment  of  this  deep  guilt.  I 
cheerfully  share  in  the  opprobrium,  how  great  soever  it  may  be, 
which  is  cast  on  those  who  feel  and  manifest  an  anxious  concern  that 
all  who  had  a  part  in  planning,  or  a  hand  in  executing,  this  deed  of 
midnight  assassination,  may  be  brought  to  answer  for  their  enormous 
crime  at  the  bar  of  public  justice. 

Gentlemen,  it  is  a  most  extraordinary  case.  In  some  respects,  it 
has  hardly  a  precedent  anywhere ;  certainly  none  in  our  New  England 
history.  This  bloody  drama  exhibited  no  suddenly  excited,  ungov 
ernable  rage.  The  actors  in  it  were  not  surprised  by  any  lion-like 
temptation  springing  upon  their  virtue,  and  overcoming  it,  before 
resistance  could  begin.  Nor  did  they  do  the  deed  to  glut  savage  ven 
geance,  or  satiate  long-settled  and  deadly  hate.  It  was  a  cool,  calcu 
lating,  money-making  murder.  It  was  all  "hire  and  salary,  not 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  16$. 

revenge."     It  was  the  weighing  of  money  against  life;  the  counting, 
out  of  so  many  pieces  of  silver  against  so  many  ounces  of  blood. 

An  aged  man,  without  an  enemy  in  the  world,  in  his  own  house, 
and  in  his  own  bed,  is  made  the  victim  of  a  butcherly  murder,  for 
mere  pay.  Truly,  here  is  a  new  lesson  for  painters  and  poets.  Who 
ever  shall  hereafter  draw  the  portrait  of  murder,  if  he  will  show  it 
as  it  has  been  exhibited,  where  such  example  was  last  to  have  been 
looked  for,  in  the  very  bosom  of  our  New  England  society,  let  him 
not  give  it  the  grim  visage  of  Moloch,  the  brow  knitted  by  revenge, 
the  face  black  with  settled  hate,  and  the  bloodshot  eye  emitting  livid 
fires  of  malice.  Let  him  draw,  rather,  a  decorous,  smooth-faced, 
bloodless  demon;  a  picture  in  repose,  rather  than  in  action;  not  so 
much  an  example  of  human  nature  in  its  depravity,  and  in  its  par 
oxysms  of  crime,  as  an  infernal  being,  a  fiend,  in  the  ordinary  display 
and  development  of  his  character. 

The  deed  was  executed  with  a  degree  of  self-possession  and  steadi 
ness  equal  to  the  wickedness  with  which  it  was  planned.  The  circum 
stances  now  clearly  in  evidence  spread  out  the  whole  scene  before  us. 
Deep  sleep  had  fallen  on  the  destined  victim,  and  on  all  beneaih  his- 
roof.  A  healthful  old  man,  to  whom  sleep  was  sweet,  the  first  sound 
slumbers  of  the  night  held  him  in  their  soft  but  strong  embrace.  The 
assassin  enters,  through  the  window  already  prepared,  into  an  unoc 
cupied  apartment.  With  noiseless  foot  he  paces  the  lonely  hall,  half 
lighted  by  the  moon;  he  winds  up  the  ascent  of  the  stairs,  and  reaches 
the  door  "of  the  chamber.  Of  this,  he  moves  the  lock,  by  soft  and  con 
tinued  pressure,  till  it  turns  on  its  hinges  without  noise;  and  he 
enters,  and  beholds  his  victim  before  him.  The  room  is  uncommonly 
open  to  the  admission  of  light.  The  face  of  the  innocent  sleeper  is 
turned  from  the  murderer,  and  the  beams  of  the  moon,  resting  on  the- 
gray  locks  of  his  aged  temple,  show  him  where  to  strike.  The  fatal 
blow  is  given!  and  the  victim  passes,  without  a  struggle  or  a  motion, 
from  the  repose  of  sleep  to  the  repose  of  death !  It  is  the  assassin's 
purpose  to  make  sure  work;  and  he  plies  the  dagger,  though  it  is 
obvious  that  life  has  been  destroyed  by  the  blow  of  the  bludgeon, 
He  even  raises  the  aged  arm,  that  he  may  not  fail  in  his  aim  at  the 
heart,  and  replaces  it  again  over  the  wounds  of  the  poiniard!  To 
finish  the  picture,  he  explores  the  wrist  for  the  pulse!  He  feels  for 
it,  and  ascertains  that  it  beats  no  longer!  It  is  accomplished.  The 
deed  is  done.  He  retreats,  retraces  his  steps  to  the  windo-v.  nasse* 


166  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

out  through  it  as  he  came  in,  and  escapes.  He  has  done  the  murder. 
No  eye  has  seen  him,  no  ear  has  heard  him.  The  secret  is  his  own, 
and  it  is  safe! 

Ahl  gentlemen,  that  was  a  dreadful  mistake.  Such  a  secret  can 
be  safe  nowhere.  The  whole  creation  of  God  has  neither  nook  nor 
corner  where  the  guilty  can  bestow  it,  and  say  it  is  safe.  Not  to 
speak  of  that  Eye  which  pierces  through  all  disguises,  and  beholds 
everything  as  in  the  splendor  of  noon,  such  secrets  of  guilt  are  never 
safe  from  detection,  even  by  men.  True  it  is,  generally  speaking, 
that  "murder  will  out."  True  it  is,  that  Providence  hath  so  ordained, 
and  doth  so  govern  things,  that  those  who  break  the  great  law  of 
Heaven  by  shedding  man  s  blood  seldom  succeed  in  avoiding  discovery. 
Especially,  in  a  case  exciting  so  much  attention  as  this,  discovery 
must  come,  and  will  come,  sooner  or  later.  A  thousand  eyes  turn  at 
once  to  explore  every  man,  everything,  every  circumstance,  connected 
with  the  time  and  place;  a  thousand  ears  catch  every  whisper;  a 
thousand  excited  minds  intensely  dwell  on  the  scene,  shedding  all 
their  light,  and  ready  to  kindle  the  slightest  circumstance  into  a 
blaze  of  discovery.  Meantime  the  guilty  soul  cannot  keep  its  own 
secret.  It  is  false  to  itself;  or  rather  it  feels  an  irresistible  impulse 
of  conscience  to  be  true  to  itself.  It  labors  under  its  guilty  posses 
sion,  and  knows  not  what  to  do  with  it.  The  human  heart  was  not 
made  for  the  residence  of  such  an  inhabitant.  It  finds  itself  preyed 
on  by  a  torment,  which  it  dares  not  acknowledge  to  God  or  man.  A 
vulture  is  devouring  it,  and  it  can  ask  no  sympathy  or  assistance, 
either  from  heaven  or  earth.  The  secret  which  the  murderer  pos 
sesses  soon  comes  to  possess  him;  and,  like  the  evil  spirits  of  which 
we  read,  it  overcomes  him,  and  leads  him  whithersoever  it  will.  He 
feels  it  beating  at  his  heart,  rising  to  his  throat,  and  demanding  dis 
closure.  He  thinks  the  whole  world  sees  it  in  his  face,  reads  it  in 
his  eyes,  and  almost  hears  its  workings  in  the  very  silence  of  his 
thoughts.  It  has  become  his  master.  It  betrays  his  discretion,  it 
breaks  down  his  courage,  it  conquers  his  prudence.  When  suspicions 
from  without  begin  to  embarrass  him,  and  the  net  of  circumstances 
to  entangle  him,  the  fatal  secret  struggles  with  still  greater  violence 
to  burst  forth.  It  must  be  confessed,  it  will  be  confessed;  there  is 
no  refuge  from  confession  but  suicide,  and  suicide  is  confession. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  167 

FROM  WEBSTER'S  REPLY  TO  HAYNE. 

A  Speech  delivered  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  on  Foote's 
Resolution,  January  26,  1830. 

In  relation  to  slavery  Mr.  Webster  said :  "There  is  not,  and  never 
has  been,  a  disposition  in  the  north  to  interfere  with  the  interests  of 
the  south.  Such  interference  has  never  been  supposed  to  be  within 
the  power  of  the  government,  nor  has  been  in  any  way  attempted. 
The  slavery  of  the  south  has  always  been  regarded  as  a  matter  of 
domestic  policy,  left  with  the  states  themselves,  and  with  which  the 
federal  government  had  nothing  to  do.  Certainly,  sir,  I  am  and  ever 
have  been,  of  that  opinion. 

"The  gentleman,  indeed  argues  that  slavery  in  the  abstract,  is  no 
evil.  Most  assuredly  I  need  not  say  I  differ  from  him,  altogether  and 
most  widely  on  that  point.  I  regard  domestic  slavery  as  one  of  the 
greatest  evils,  both  moral  and  political.  But  though  it  be  a  malady, 
and  whether  it  be  curable,  and  if  so  by  what  means.  .  .1  leave  it  to 
them  whose  right  and  duty  it  is,  to  enquire  and  to  decide." 

He  then  recounted  the  whole  history  of  the  struggle  pertaining  to 
the  extension  of  slavery,  in  connection  with  an  able  discussion  of  con 
stitutional  law. 

STATE  RIGHTS. 

After  discussing  at  great  length  the  urgent  necessity  of  public 
improvements,  he  struck  the  doctrine  of  "state's  rights"  with  vigor 
ous  and  well  directed  blows. 

"I  understand  the  honorable  gentleman  from  South  Carolina  to 
maintain  that  it  is  the  right  of  state  legislatures  to  interfere,  when 
ever,  in  their  judgment,  this  government  transcends  its  constitutional 
limits,  and  to  arrest  the  operation  of  its  laws." 

SOVEREIGNTY    OF    THE    CONSTITUTION. 

Then  followed  a  long  argument  on  the  sovereignty  of  the  Con 
stitution  and  the  necessary  loyalty  to  be  given  it  from  the  various 
states. 

He  argued  that  the  government  itself  was  a  popular  one  erected 
by  the  people — that  those  who  administered  its  affairs  were  responsi- 


168  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

ble  to  the  people  alone,  that  the  state  governments  also  emanated 
from  the  people,  but  the  general  government  was  created  for  one  pur- 
pose  and  the  state  governments  for  another.  "We  are  here  to  admin 
ister  a  Constitution  emanating  immediately  from  the  people,  and 
trusted  by  them  to  our  administration.  It  is  not  a  creature  of  state 

governments But  sir,   the  people  have   wisely  provided 

in  the  Constitution  itself,  a  proper  mode  and  tribunal  for  settling 
questions  of  constitutional  law.  .  .The  Constitutipn  itself,  has  pointed 
out,  ordained  and  established  that  authority.  How  has  it  accom 
plished  this  great  and  successful  end?  By  declaring,  sir,  that  the 
Constitution  and  the  laws  of  the  United  States  made  in  pursuance 
thereof,  shall  be  the  supreme  law  of  the  land,  anything,  in  the  Con 
stitution,  or  laws  of  any  state,  to  the  contrary,  notwithstanding." 

He  then  made  a  long  and  forcible  argument  on  the  subject  of  con 
stitutional  law,  closing  with  an  eloquent  and  prophetic  picture  of 
the  state  of  affairs  which  would  obtain,  if  the  doctrines  of  nullifica 
tion  were  consistently  carried  out. 

REPLY  TO  CALHOUN. 

Speech    in    the   Senate  of   the  United   States,   on   the   10th   day   of 
February,  1833. 

After  giving  a  forcible  resume  of  the  previous  positions  of  South 
Carolina  in  relation  to  the  tariff,  he  said: 

I  hold  South  Carolina  to  her  ancient,  her  cool,  her  uninfluenced 
her  deliberate  opinions.  I  hold  her  to  her  own  admissions,  nay,  to 
her  own  claims  and  pretensions,  in  1789  in  the  First  Congress,  and 
to  her  acknowledgments  and  avowed  sentiments  through  a  long  series 
of  succeeding  years.  I  hold  her  to  the  principles  on  which  she  led 
congress  to  act  in  1816,  or  if  she  has  changed  her  own  opinions,  1 
claim  some  respect  for  those  who  still  retain  the  same  views. 

"I  say  she  is  precluded  from  asserting  that  doctrines  which  she 
herself  has  so  long  and  so  ably  sustained,  are  plain,  palpable  anft 
dangerous  violations  of  the  Constitution. 

"Mr.  President,  if  the  friends  of  nullification  should  be  able  to 
propagate  their  opinions,  and  give  them  practical  effect,  they  would 
in  my  judgment,  prove  themselves  the  most  skillful  architects  of  ruin, 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  ,69 

the  most  effectual  extinguishers  of  high  raised  expectation,  the  great 
est  blasters  of  human  hopes,  which  any  age  has  produced. 

"They  would  stand  up  to  the  proclaim, ,in  tones  that  would  pierce 
the  ears  of  half  the  human  race,  that  the  last  great  experiment  in 
human  government  had  failed.  They  would  send  forth  sounds,  at  the 
hearing  of  which,  "the  divine  right  of  kings,"  would  feel  even  in  its 
grave,  a  returning  sensation  of  vitality  and  resuscitation. 

"Millions  of  eyes, of  those  who  now  feed  their  inherent  love  of  lib 
erty  on  the  success  of  the  American  example,  would  turn  away  from 
beholding  our  dismemberment  and  find  no  place  on  earth  wherein  to 
rest  their  gratified  sight.  Amidst  the  incantations  and  orgies  of  nul 
lification,  secession,  disunion  and  revolution,  would  be  celebrated  the 
funeral  rites  of  constitutional  and  republican  liberty. 

"But  sir,  if  the  government  do  its  duty,  if  it  act  with  firmness  and 
with  moderation,  these  opinions  cannot  prevail.  Be  assured,  that 
among  the  political  sentiments  of  this  people  the  love  of  union  is  still 
uppermost. 

"They  will  stand  fast  by  the  Constitution,and  by  those  who  defend 
it,  I  rely  on  no  temporary  expedients— on  no  political  combination; 
but  I  rely  on  the  true  American  feeling — the  genuine  patriotism  of  the 
people,  and  the  imperative  decision  of  the  public  voice. 

"With  my  whole  heart,!  pray  for  the  continuance  of  the  domestic 
peace  and  quiet  of  the  country,  I  desire  most  ardently,  the  restoration 
of  affection  and  harmony  to  all  its  parts,  I  desire  that  every  citizen  of 
the  whole  country  may  look  to  this  government,  with  no  other  senti 
ments  but  those  of  grateful  respect  and  attachment.  Disorder  and 
confusion,  indeed  may  arise — scenes  of  commotion  and  contest  are 
threatened,  and  perhaps  may  come. 

"But  I  cannot  yield,even  to  kind  feelings,  the  cause  of  the  Consti 
tution,  the  true  glory  of  the  country,  and  the  great  trust  which  we  hold 
in  our  hands,  for  succeeding  ages.  If  the  Constitution  cannot  be 
maintained  without  meeting  these  scenes  of  commotion,  they  must 
come. 

"We  cannot,  we  must  not,  we  dare  not,  omit  to  do  that,  which  in 
our  judgment,  the  safety  of  the  Union  requires. 

"Not  regardless  of  consequences,  we  must  yet  meet  consequences; 
seeing  the  hazards  which  surround  the  discharge  of  public  duty,  it 
must  yet  be  discharged. 

"For  myself,  sir,  I  shun  no  responsibility  justly  devolving  on  me. 


I7o  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

here  or  elsewhere,  in  attempting  to  maintain  the  cause — I  am  tied  to 
it  by  indissoluble  bonds  of  affection  and  duty,  and  I  shall  cheerfully 
partake  of  its  fortunes  and  its  fate.  I  am  ready  to  perform  my  own 
appropriate  part,  whenever  and  wherever  the  occasion  may  call  me, 
and  to  take  my  chance  among  those  upon  whom  the  blows  may  fall 
first,  and  fall  thickest. 

"I  shall  exert  every  faculty  I  possess,  in  aiding  to  prevent  the  Con 
stitution  from  being  nullified,  destroyed  or  impaired;  and  even  if  I 
should  see  it  fall,  I  will  still,  with  a  voice,  feeble,  perhaps,  but  earnest, 
as  ever  issued  from  human  lips,  call  on  the  people  to  come  to  its 
rescue." 

FROM   THE    COMPROMISES   OF  THE    CONSTITUTION. 

Delivered  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 

Having  been  again  returned  to  the  Senate,  his  last  great  speech 
before  that  august  body  was  delivered  on  the  7th  of  March,  1850,  only 
two  years  before  the  death  of  the  great  orator. 

Various  schemes  were  under  discussion  concerning  the  extension 
of  slavery  in  the  territories,  and  newly  admitted  states,  and  as  usual  in 
those  days,  the  threat  of  secession  was  heard  from  too  many  of  the 
southern  senators.  Some  of  them  advocated  the  idea  that  secession 
might  be  peaceably  accomplished,  and  in  relation  to  that  subject,  we 
find  the  following  paragraph  in  this  celebrated  address: 

"Peaceable  secession!  peaceable  secession!  The  concurrent  agree 
ment  of  all  the  members  of  this  great  republic  to  separate! 

"A  voluntary  separation,  with  alimony  on  the  one  side  and  on  the 
other.  Why,  what  would  be  the  result?  Where  is  the  line  to  be 
drawn?  What  states  are  to  secede?  What  is  to  remain  American? 
What  am  I  to  be?  An  American  no  longer?  Where  is  the  flag  of  the 
republic  to  remain?  Where  is  the  eagle  still  to  tower?  or  is  he  to 
cower,  and  sink,  and  fall  to  the  ground? 

"Why,  sir,  our  ancestors — our  fathers  and  our  grandfathers,  those 
of  them  that  are  yet  living  among  us  with  prolonged  lives — would  re 
buke  and  reproach  us.  And  our  children  and  our  grandchildren  would 
cry  out,  'Shame  upon  us!'  if  we  of  this  generation  should  dishonor 
these  ensigns  of  the  power  of  the  government,  and  the  harmony  of  the 
Union,  which  is  every  day  felt  among  us  with  so  much  power  and 
gratitude. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  171 

"What  is  to  become  of  the  army?  What  is  to  become  of  the  navy? 
What  is  to  become  of  the  public  lands?  How  is  each  of  the  thirty 
states  to  defend  itself?  I  know,  although  the  idea  has  not  been  stated 
distinctly,  there  is  to  be  a  southern  confederacy.  I  do  not  mean  when  I 
allude  to  this  statement,  that  any  one  seriously  contemplates  such  a 
state  of  things.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  it  is  true,  but  I  have  heard 
it  suggested  elsewhere  that  this  idea  has  originated  in  a  design  to  sep 
arate.  I  am  sorry,  sir,  that  it  has  ever  been  thought  of,  talked  of,  or 
dreamed  of,  in  the  wildest  flights  of  human  imagination." 


THE  STORY  OF  DANIEL  WEBSTER, 

FOR  A  SCHOOL  OR  CLUB  PROGRAMME. 

Kach  numbered  paragraph  is  to  be  given  to  a  pupil  or 
member  to  read,  or  to  recite,  in  a  clear,  distinct  tone. 

If  the  school  or  club  is  small,  each  person  may  take 
three  or  four  paragraphs,  but  should  not  be  required  to 
recite  them  in  succession. 

1.  Daniel    Webster    was    born   on    the   i8th  day    of    January, 
1782,  of  pioneer  parents.     His  father  was  an  officer  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution. 

2.  Although  delicate  in  childhood,  he  appears  to  have  inherited 
from  his  grandmother  and  his  father,  a  fine   physique,  with   a  large 
brain  and  rugged  features,  also  good  literary  tastes,  and  an  aptitude 
for  mental  acquisition. 

3.  His  first  lessons  were  given  by  mother  and  sisters,  but  his  first 
contact  with  the  world  came  at  Exeter  Academy,  where   he  keenly 
felt  the  ridicule  which  was  freely  bestowed  upon  his  rustic  dress  and 
ways. 

4.  He  entered  Dartmouth  College  in  August  of   1797.      Here  he 
first  successfully  cultivated  the  gift  of  speech,  and  three  years  later 
he  was  invited  to  deliver  the  Fourth  of  July  oration  at  Hanover. 

5.  Even  his  earliest  speeches  were  characterized  by  patriotism, 
fidelity  to  the  Constitution  being  a  favorite  theme. 

6.  He  was   graduated  from  Dartmouth  in  1801,  with  some  smat 
tering  cf  the  law,  but  with  a  much  greater  familiarity  with  English 
literature. 

7.  He  gave  up  his  law  studies  and  taught  school,  in  order  to  be 


i  72  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

enabled  to  contribute  to  the  support  of  his  elder  b"other   who  was 
then  in  College. 

8.  When  his  father  died  in  1806,  Daniel  assumed  his  financial  ob 
ligations,  waited  until  his  brother  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  then  went 
to  Portsmouth,  where  he  made  his  home. 

9.  In  i8og  Mr.  Webster  was  married  to  Miss  Grace  Fletcher,  the 
daughter  of  the  minister  at  Salisbury.     With  her  he  lived  happily  un 
til  her  death,  nearly  twenty  years  later. 

10.  In  1813  he  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  the  Thirteenth  Con 
gress.     He  was  now  about  thirty  years  of  age. 

11.  His  best  service  during  his    first   term   was   his   successful 
opposition  to  a  National  Bank  having  a  large  paper  currency,  which 
was  not  redeemable  in  either  gold  or  silver  coin. 

12.  Mr.  Webster  was   re-elected  to  the  Fourteenth  Congress» 
where  the  currency  fight  was  renewed.    Mr.  Webster  and  his  friends* 
however,  succeeded  in  eliminating  the  most  injurious  features  of  the 
bill  before  it  was  finally  passed. 

13.  About  1816  he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  before  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

14.  In  1817  he  removed  his  family  to  Boston  where  he  made  his 
home  for  many  years.    It  was  in  this  year  also,  that  he  lost  his  beauti 
ful  little  daughter  Grace,  who  died  in  her  father's  arms. 

15.  In  1818,  on  the  tenth  day  of  March  he  made  his  memorable 
argument  in  behalf  of  Dartmouth  College  before  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States.     This  victory  was  more  far-reaching  than  any 
other  which,  up  to  that  time,  had  been  won  before  the  Federal  Courts. 

16.  In  1820  he  delivered  his  celebrated  oration  at  Plymouth  on 
the  anniversary  of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  just  two  hundred  years 
after  the  date  of  that  event. 

17.  In    1823  he  again  took  his  seat  in  Congress,  this  time  as  a 
representative  of  the  people  of  Boston. 

18.  In  1824  he  delivered  his  great  speech  on  "The  Greek  Revo 
lution,"  protesting  against  the  unspeakable  barbarity  of   the   Turks, 
and  claiming  that  the  struggling  Greeks  were  entitled  to  the   active 
sympathy  of  the  whole  civilized  world. 

19.  In  1825,  before  he  was  forty-three  years  of  age,  he  delivered 
his   celebrated   address   on  "The    Laying  of  the  Corner  Stone  of  the 
Bunker  Hill  Monument." 

20.  In  1826  he  was  chosen  Senator,  and  this  year  was  also  signal 
ized  by  his  eulogy  upon  Adams  and  Jefferson. 

21.  In  1828,  in  January  of  this  year,  he  lost  his  beloved  wife,  and 
with  her  loss  came  a  terrible  break  in  his  life,  for  she  had  been  com 
rade  and  triend,  as  well  as  a  devoted  wife.    This  year,  also,  he  deliv 
ered  an  able  scientific  lecture  at  the  opening  of  the  course  at  the  Me 
chanics  Institution  in  Boston. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  173 

22.  In  1829  he  lost  his  faithful  brother  Ezekiel,  who  died  from 
heart  failure  while  making  an  eloquent  plea  in  court. 

23.  In  1829,  also,  he  was  married  to  Miss   Leroy  ot   New  York, 
who  survived  him. 

24.  In  1830  he  made  his  celebrated  "Reply  to  Hayne,"  an  effort 
which  has  probably  never  been  surpassed  in  debate  upon  the  floor  of 
the  Senate.     He  was  now  about  forty-eight  years  of  age. 

25.  In  1831  people  began  to  talk  of  him  as  a  very  probable  can 
didate  for  ftie  Presidency,  but  he  was  defeated  for  the  nomination  in 
consequence  of  his  opposition  to  Van  Buren  as  Minister  to  England. 

26.  In  Novembej  of  the  year  1831,  South  Carolina  passed  her  cel 
ebrated  ordinance  nullifying  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  concerning 
the  collection  of  the  revenue.     John  C.  Calhoun  had  resigned  the  Vice 
Presidency,  accepted  the  Senatorship,  and  went  to  the  capital  as  the 
champion  of  secession. 

27.  Webster  immediately  allied  himself  to   the  Administration 
as  the  champion  of  the  Constitution  and  the  law. 

28.  In  1832  Webster  delivered  his  "Eulogy  upon  Washington," 
in  honor  of  the*  centennial  birthday  of  our  first  President,  at  a  public 
dinner  in  the  city  of  Washington. 

29.  In  1833  he  advocated  with  all  the  eloquence  and  logic  at  his 
command  the  famous  "Force  Bill,"  empowering  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  use  all  the  military  force  of  the  government,  if  neces 
sary,  for  the  enforcement  of  the  laws. 

30.  Although  Webster  had  proved  a  veritable  tower  of  strength 
to  the  administration  during  the  conflict  with  the  incipient  rebellion, 
still  he  had  a  prolonged  struggle  with  President  Jackson  in  the  fall  of 
1833,  on  the  question  of  finance. 

31.  He  was  always  in  favor  of  a  paper  currency  which  was  re 
deemable  in  either  gold  or  silver  coin,  and  during  the  heated  contro 
versy  on  this  subject  in  1833,  he  delivered  sixty-four  addresses  upon 
the  question,  finally  winning  his  point  against  the  administration. 

32.  In  1833,  also,  he  delivered  his  famous  "Reply  to  Calhoun,"  in 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  in  connection  with  the  bill  "further  to 
provide   for  the  collection  of  duties  upon  imports."     Here,  again,  his 
sturdy  blows  upon  the  doctrine  of  nullification  fell  thick  and  fast. 

33.  In  this  year,  also,  Henry  Clay  presented  the  bill  for  a  com 
promise,  which  Webster  fought  with  all  the  energy  of  his  being. 

34.  In   1837  he  delivered  one  of  his  best  speeches  in  New  York 
City,  giving  voice  to  his   political    positions  upon   important   public 
questions.     Here,  as  elsewhere,  he  was  dignified  and  courteous  to  his 
opponents,  carrying  the  whole  audience  with  him.    He  was  now  forty- 
five  years  of  age.     The  unity  of  the  Great  Republic   was  again  the 
theme  of  his  eloquent  eulogy. 

35.  In  1839  Mr.  Webster  went  to  England  with  his  family  for  a 


i?4  DANIEL   WEBSTER. 

long  needed  rest,  and  was  everywhere  received  with  appropriate  hon 
ors  as  one  of  the  foremost  citizens  of  a  great  nation. 

36.  Upon  his  return  to  his  native  heath  in  the  winter  of  the  same 
year,   he   found   General    Harrison   the   nominee  of  his  party  for  the 
Presidency,  and  he  threw  himself  into  the  campaign  with  all  the  en 
thusiasm  of  his  nature. 

37.  1840.    During  this  summer  he  made  campaign  speeches  for 
Harrison  in  Massachusetts,   New  York,  Pennsylvania   and   Virginia. 
Seventy  or  more  public  addresses  were  made  during  this  campaign, 
mostly  upon  the  various  phases  of  the  currency  question. 

38.  1841.    On  the   election  of  Harrison  he  was  invited  to  accept 
the  portfolio  of  State,  and  he  accepted  the  position,  taking  his  place 
in  the  cabinet,  in  March  of  this  year. 

39.  President  Harrison  dying  after  only  one   month   of  official 
life,  and  it  being  the  first  time  a  President  had  died  in  office,  it  de 
volved  upon  Secretary  Webster  to  arrange  and  establish  the  necessa 
ry  forms  to  be  complied  with,  and  the  honors  to  be  paid  upon  such 
occasions. 

40.  When  Harrison  was  succeeded  by  Tyler,  Secretary  Webster 
was  earnestly  requested  to  retain  the  portfolio  of  State,  and  finally  de 
cided  to  do  so. 

41.  In  1842  Lord  Ashburton,  as  the  especial  envoy  of  Great  Brit 
ain,  arrived  in  Washington  to  confer  with  our  government  respecting 
the  difficult   question   of  the  northwestern  boundary  line  and  other 
matters  which  were  producing  much  international  irritation. 

42.  After  much  delay,  and  the  careful  manipulation  of  several 
delicate  questions,  Mr.  Webster,  with  his  assistant  counsel,  succeeded 
in   arranging  with  the  British  envoy  the  "Ashburton  Treaty,"  which 
settled  some  grievous  questions  at  a  time  when  war  seemed  almost 
unavoidable. 

43.  Although   his  personal  relations  with  President  Tyler  were 
cordial,  there  were  some  political  complications  which  led  to  his  res 
ignation,  and  he  retired  to  his  beautiful  country  home  at  Marshfield, 
where  he  passed  a  little  time  in  retirement. 

44.  When  Henry  Clay  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency  in  1844, 
he   gave   him   cordial  support,  and  took  the  stump  in  his  behalf,  al 
though  cordially  disliking  the  man  personally,  and  feeling  sure,  as  he 
said,  that  "Clay  would  not  do  it  for  me." 

45.  He  was  opposed  to  the  conduct  of  the  Mexican  war,  but  dur 
ing  these  campaigns  he   lost  his  beloved  son  Edward,  who  died  in 
Mexico  as  the  Major  of  a  regiment  of  Massachusetts  volunteers. 

46.  The  body  of  the  young  officer  was  brought  to  Boston  on  the 
very  day  that  his  beloved  sister  was  consigned  to  the  tomb. 

47.  A  few  days  later  a  fervent  religious  service  was  held  over  the 
body  of  Edward  Webster,  and  then  military  honors  were  accorded  to 
him  as  he  was  laid  away  in  the  tomb. 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  175 

48.  Mr.   Webster  planted  two  weeping    elms  on  his  lawn  at 
Marshfield  as  a  memorial  of  his  son  and  daughter,  and  made  arrange 
ments  for  the  resting  place  for  himself  and  his  family. 

49.  In    1845  he  was  chosen  Senator  from  Massachusetts,  and  as 
soon  as  he  could  rally  a  little  after  his  terrible  loss,  he  hurried  away 
to  bury  his  aching  heart  in  the  rush  of  public  duty. 

50.  General  Taylor  became  the  nominee  of  the  Whig  party  for 
the  Presidency,  when  by  all  the  laws  of  political  justice  the  nomina 
tion  should  have  gone  to  Webster. 

51.  Webster  was  opposed  to  the  placing  of  military  men  in  the 
Chair  of  the  Chief  Executive,  because   military  efficiency   is  not   a 
qualification  for  wise  statesmanship,  but  at  last  he  decided  to  vote  for 
Taylor  and  advise  his  friends  to  do  so. 

52.  When  President  Taylor  suddenly  died,  the  portfolio  of  State 
was  again  offered  to  Webster,  who  accepted  it,  taking  his  place  in 
Fillmore's  cabinet  in  July  of  1850. 

53.  His  administration  of  the  department  was  again  satisfactory 
although  there  was  no  such  important  international  negotiations   as 
the  Ashburton  Treaty. 

54.  He  was  thrown  from  his  carriage  while  driving  in  Marshfield 
and  was  severely  injured,  after  which  he  was  never  again  in  health. 

55.  He  spent  much  of  his  time  at  Marshfield,  and  would  have  re 
signed  his  position,  but  retained  it  at  the  especial  request  of  the^Pres- 
ident,  and  indeed  he  succeeded  in  transacting  the  business  of  his  de 
partment  until  a  few  months  before  his  death. 

56.  On  the  evening  of  October  3,  1852,  he  went  to  his  rest,  lying 
down  upon  his  armor  in  firm  reliance  upon  the  Christian  hope. 

57.  The  gates  of  his  spacious  lawn  were  thrown  open,  and  about 
ten  thousand  people  came  to  attend  the  simple  funeral  services,  which 
were  in  accordance  with  his  own  expressed  wish. 

58.  One  of   the  grandest  lives  among  pur  American  statesmen 
passed  into  history,  and  his  words  will  ever  live  as  an  eloquent  vindi 
cation  of  the  Constitution  and  the  Laws. 


PROGRAMME  FOR  A  DANIEL  WEBSTER  EVENING. 

1.  Music — "Star  Spangled  Banner." 

2.  Recitation — Extract  from   Webster's   speech  entitled,   "The 
Constitution  not  a  Compact." 

3.  Essay — W7ebstcr's  Services  as  Secretary  of  State. 

4.  Instrumental  Music — Patriotic  Air. 

5.  Recitation— Extract  from  Webster's  Reply  to  Hayne. 

6.  Anecdotes  of  Webster,  as  many  taking  part  as  possible. 

7.  Vocal  Music— All  join  in  singing  "America." 


i  ?6  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

QUESTIONS  FOR  REVIEW. 

What  can  you  say  of  the  grand-parents  of  Daniel  Webster?  Des 
cribe  his  father?  What  of  the  military  career  of  Ebenezer  Webster? 
When  and  where  was  Daniel  born  ?  What  can  you  say  of  his  child 
life?  Give  a  brief  summary  of  his  educational  advantages?  When 
and  where  was  his  first  public  address  delivered?  When  was  he 
graduated  from  Dartmouth  ?  What  was  his  first  work  afterwards  ? 
Describe  his  personal  appearance.  When  did  his  father  die?  When 
and  whom  did  Daniel  Webster  marry  ?  When  was  he  first  elected  to 
Congress?  What  was  the  most  important  service  which  he  rendered 
to  the  country  during  the  Thirteenth  Congress?  What  can  you  say  of 
the  Fourteenth  Congress  ?  What  can  you  say  of  h^s  management  of  the 
Dartmouth  College  case?  Which  is  considered  the  finest  of  his  anni 
versary  speeches  ? 

What  can  you  say  of  his  speech  on  the  Great  Revolution?  What 
of  the  address  on  the  Laying  of  the  Corner  Stone  of  the  Bunker  Hill 
Monument?  Mention  the  principal  master-pieces  among  his  addresses: 
What  can  you  say  of  his  first  day  in  the  Senate  after  the  death  of  his 
wife?  Recapitulate  briefly  his  conflict  with  the  nullifiers  of  South 
Carolina. 

What  can  you  say  of  his  reply  to  Hayne?  When  was  his  name 
first  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  Presidency?  Who  was  his  suc 
cessful  rival  for  the  nomination  at  this  time?  What  can  you  say  of 
the  Force  Bill?  What  relation  did  Webster  sustain  to  Jackson's  ad 
ministration  during  the  days  of  the  threatened  rebellion  ?  What  was 
his  relation  to  it  on  the  question  of  finance?  What  can  you  say  of  his 
speech  entitled,  "The  Constitution  not  a  Compact?" 

What  was  the  result  of  the  excitement  on  the  subject  of  nullifica- 
tion?  What  can  you  say  of  Webster  s  struggle  with  Jackson  on  the 
question  of  finance?  When  did  he  go  to  England?  What  was  the 
condition  of  American  politics  when  he  returned?  What  can  you  say 
cf  'his  work  during  the  Harrison  campaign?  What  was  the  result? 
When  was  he  re-elected  to  the  Senate  for  the  six  year  term?  When 
did  he  become  the  Secretary  of  State?  Give  a  brief  synopsis  of  his 
most  valuable  service  in  this  department?  What  can  you  say  of  his 
letter  to  Lord  Ashburton  on  the  subject  of  impressment? 

Describe  briefly  Webster  s  home  at  Marshfield?  What  can  you 
say  of  his  life  there?  When  was  he  again  called  to  a  position  in  the 
Cabinet?  What  were  his  relations  with  President  Tyler?  How  was 
his  work  in  the  cabinet  considered?  When  was  Henry  Clay  nomina 
ted  for  the  Presidency  ?  What  part  did  Webster  take  in  the  campaign  ? 
When  was  he  elected  to  the  Senate  for  the  last  time?  What  position 
did  he  take  in  relation  to  the  war  with  Mexico  ?  What  did  the  war 
cost  him  ?  Give  briefly  the  incidents  connected  with  the  death  of  his 
son. 

Give  the  story  of  Henry  Pleasants?  'rf 'hen  did  Mr.  Webster's 
daughter  die?  When  was  Webster  s  name  presented  to  the  Whig 
convention  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  ?  Who  received  the  nom- 


DANIEL  WEBSTER.  177 

ination  at  this  time?    Why  should  he  have  been  the  nominee  of  the 
party?    What  effect  did  the  disappointment  have  upon  him?    What 
were  his  objections  to  Taylor?    What  did  he  do  during  this  campaign? 
What  can  you  say  of  his  speech  on  "The  Compromises  of  the  Constitu 
tion  ?* '   In  what  way  was  it  criticized?     What  was  the  apparent 
cause  of  his  great  political  mistake?    What  were  the  main  features  of 
the  Clay  compromise?    What  were  the  successes  of  the  Free  Soil  par 
ty?    What  relation  did  Webster  sustain  to  Fillmore" s  administration? 
What  can  you  say  of  his  work? 

When  was  Webster  s  name  again  presented  to  the  Whig  conven 
tion  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency?  With  what  result?  Who  was 
the  successful  candidate?  What  was  the  result  of  this  disappoint 
ment?  What  can  you  say  of  the  inscription  which  he  dictated  for  his 
tombstone?  What  little  incident  illustrates  his  love  for  the  flag  dur 
ing  his  last  illness?  When  did  he  die?  What  wishes  did  he  express 
concerning  his  funeral?  What  can  you  say  of  the  simple  obsequies? 

SUBJECTS  FOR  SPECIAL  STUDY. 

7.     The  heredity  and  childhood  of  Daniel  Webster. 

2.    His  development  as  an  orator. 

j.    His  influence  upon  the  politics  of  the  period. 

4.    His  services  as  Secretary  of  State. 

j.     His  personal  life. 

CHRONOLOGICAL  EVENTS  IN  THE  LIFE  OF  DANIEL  WEBSTER, 

1782.  Born  in  Salisbury,  New  Hampshire,  January  18. 

1793.  Entered  Exeter  Academy. 

1797.  Entered  Dartmouth  College. 

1800.  Delivered  the  Fourth  of  July  address  for  the  people  of  Hanover. 

1801.  Was   graduated   from  Dartmouth,  and  returning  to  his  native 

town  entered  the  law  office  of  one  of  his  father's  friends.  A 
little  later,  however,  he  was  induced  by  an  offer  of  three  hun 
dred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year  to  become  a  teacher  at  Fryburg, 
Maine,  where  he  earned  his  board  by  copying  deeds.  This 
change  seemed  necessary  in  the  embarrassed  condition  of  the 
finances  of  the  Webster  'family. 

1804.  He  went  to  Boston  and  entered  the  law  office  of  Mr.  Christo 
pher  Gore,  an  eminent  member  of  the  Boston  bar,  who  was 
afterward  elected  Governor  of  Massachusetts. 

1806.  His  faithful  father  died,  and  Daniel  assumed  his  financial  res 

ponsibilities,  and  after  his  brother  Ezekiel  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  he  placed  his  law  practice  there  in  the  hands  of  the 
brother. 

1807.  Removed   to   Portsmouth,  where  he  made  his  home  for  many 

years. 

1808.  Went  back  to  Salisbury  for  his  bride,  Miss  Grace  Fletcher, 


178  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

bringing  her  to  his  new  home,  where  their  children  were  born. 

1812.  Was  elected  a  member  of  the  Thirteenth  Congress,  taking  his 
seat  in  May  of  1813. 

1814.  Delivered  his  strong  address  in  opposition  to  the  conduct  of  the 
war  which  was  then  in  progress,  opposing  the  purpose  of  the 
administration  to  enforce  a  draft  which  included  minors.  He 
claimed  that  the  government  should  give  up  the  idea  of  inva 
sion,  and  if  the  war  must  be  continued,  it  should  be  carried  to 
the  coast,  and  conducted  in  defense  of  maritime  rights. 

1817.  Lost  his  little  daughter  Grace,  who  died  in  her  father's  arms. 

1818.  He  argued  the  famous  Dartmouth  College  case  before  the  Su 

preme  Court  of  the  United  States,  on  the  tenth  day  of  March. 
This  address  is  universally  acknowledged  as  his  master  piece 
in  this  department  of  legal  work,  and  it  had  a  far-reaching 
effect.  His  success  in  this  case  brought  within  the  scope  of 
the  United  States  every  charter  granted  by  a  state,  and  ex 
tended  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Federal  Court  more  than  any 
other  judgment  which  it  had  ever  rendered. 

1820.  Delivered  the  famous  oration  at  Plymouth  in  commemoration 
of  the  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims.  This  speech  was  given  on 
the  22d  day  of  December,  two  hundred  years  after  the  mem 
orable  event  took  place. 

1822.  Was  nominated  for  Congress  by  the  people  of  Boston,  and  in 
December  of  the  following  year  he  again  took  his  seat  in  that 
august  body,  this  time  representing  a  Massachusetts  constit 
uency. 

1824.  Delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives  his  speech  on  "The 

Greek  Revolution."  He  was  then  forty-two  years  of  age,  and 
this  effort  was  considered  in  both  America  and  Great  Britain 
the  ablest  which,  up  to  that  time,  had  ever  been  made  upon 
that  floor. 

1825.  Gave  his   celebrated  address  in  connection  with  the  laying  of 

the  corner  stone  of  Bunker  Hill  Monument,  at  Charlestown, 
Mass. 

1826.  Delivered  his  oration  upon  the  lives  and  services  of  John  Ad 

ams  and  Thomas  Jefferson.  It  was  given  in  Faneuil  Hall  on 
August  2d.  It  was  in  this  year,  also,  that  he  was  chosen  to 
the  Senate. 

1828.  Buried   his  beloved  wife,  from  whose  loss  he  never,  perhaps, 

fully  recovered.  This  was  also  an  eventful  year  in  the  Sen 
ate,  and  he  made  several  important  speeches  on  the  subject 
of  the  tariff.  It  was  in  November  of  this  year  that  he  gave 
the  introductory  lecture  at  the  opening  of  the  scientific  course 
at  Mechanic's  Institute  at  Boston.  He  was  fond  of  science, 
and  had  chosen  a  scientific  theme  for  his  graduating  essay. 

1829.  He   met  with  another  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  his  brcther 

Ezekiel,  and  before  the  year  was  out  he  was  again  married, 
this  time  to  Miss  Leroy  of  New  York. 


DANIEL   WEBSTER.  179 

1830.  He  delivered  his  great  address  in  "Reply  to  Hayne"  of  South 
Carolina.  This  speech  occupied  the  greater  portion  of  two 
days  in  its  delivery,  and  has  been  universally  considered  one 
of  the  ablest  which  has  ever  been  made  in  debate. 

1832.  South  Carolina  passed  her  celebrated  nullification  ordinance, 

and  it  was  followed  by  exciting  times  in  the  Senate.  And  in 
this  time  of  need, Webster  came  out  squarely  in  behalf  of  the 
.  administration,  and  its  right  to  collect  revenues  from  a  rebel- 
lious  state.  It  was  this  year,  also,  that  he  delivered  his 
speech  in  honor  of  the  centennial  birthday  of  Washington. 
His  name  was  also  considered  in  connection  with  the  nomin 
ation  for  the  presidency. 

1833.  Delivered  his   celebrated  "Reply  to  Calhoun."    This  speech 

was  entitled,  "The  Constitution  not  a  Compact." 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  he  had  a  prolonged  strug 
gle  with  President  Jackson,  on  the  subject  of  finance.  Dur- 
this  contest  Webster  spoke  upon  the  subject  about  sixty-four 
times,  winning  a  victory  at  last  over  the  administration. 
1837.  Delivered  a  notable  political  address  in  New  York,  besides 
many  minor  efforts. 

1839.  Went  with  his  family  to  England  for  a  long  needed  rest.    Was 

everywhere  received  as  befitted  one  of  the  principal'citizens  of 
the  tlnited  States.  In  December  of  that  year  General  Har 
rison  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency,  and  on  his  return  to 
the  states,  Webster  was  drawn  into  the  powerful  current  of 
the  political  campaign. 

1840.  During  the  summer  of  this  year  he  delivered  political  address 

es  in  behalf  of  the  Whig  nominee  (Harrison)  in  Massachusettss 
New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  making  about  seventy 
speeches  on  the  various  phases  of  the  question  of  finance. 
The  result  was  an  overwhelming  victory  for  his  party. 
1841  Became  Secretary  of  State  under  President  Harrison,  remain 
ing  in  office  under  the  administration  of  Tyler  until  1843. 

This  term  of  office  was  signalized  by  valuable  services  to  the 
government  in  relation  to  the  successful  formation  of  the  Ash- 
burton  Treaty. 

He  also  wrote  an  important  letter  to  Lord  Ashburton  on  the 
subject  of  impressment.  This  radical  document  forever  put 
a  stop  to  the  custom  which  had  too  long  obtained  among  Brit 
ish  cruisers  of  impressing  seamen  from  American  merchant 
vessels. 

1843.  Retired  to  his  country  seat  at  Marshfield,  having  resigned  the 

Portfolio  of  State.  He  remained  in  retirement  only  a  short  time 
when  Clay  was  nominated  for  the  Presidency,  when  he  gave 
him  an  enthusiastic  support,  not  because  he'  liked  the  man, 
for  he  did  not,  but  because  he  endorsed  the  principles  which 
he  represented. 

1844.  Although  Clay  had  been  defeated  Webster  could  not  keep  out 


180  DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

of  politics,  and  he  was  again  elected  Senator  from  Massachu 
setts. 

1845.  He  took  his  seat  in  the  Senate  for  his  last  term.  He  op 
posed  the  acquisition  of  territory  by  conquest,  claiming  tnat 
such  procedure  threatened  the  very  existence  of  the  naf'on. 
The  Mexican  war  cost  him  the  life  of  his  son  Edward.who  died 
as  a  Major  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  and  his  body  was 
brought  home  just  as  they  were  consigning  the  body  of  Mr. 
Webster's  daughter,  Mrs.  Appleton  to  the  tomb.  Hence  this 
was  another  terrible  year  for  the  statesman. 

1848.  Webster  was  again  prominently  talked  of,  for  the  Presidency, 
but  to  the  shame  of  his  party  the  nomination  was  given  to  Tay 
lor,  and  Webster  spurned  the  offer  of  a  second  place  on  the 
ticket. 

He  was  tempted  to  leave  the  campaign  battles  for 
others  to  fight  while  he  went  to  his  beloved  Marshfield  for 
much  needed  rest,  but  party  spirit  sent  him  again  into  the 
field,  and  Taylor  was  duly  elected  and  inaugurated. 

1850  Delivered  his  speech  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  on"The 
Compromises  of  the  Constitution."  After  this  he  resigned  his 
seat  to  accept  the  position  of  Secretary  of  State  under  Fill- 
more,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  Presidency  upon  the  sudden 
death  of  Taylor  July  Qth,  1850. 

The  second  term  as  Secretary  was  marked  by  succeessful 
service  to  the  State,  although  there  were  no  great  internation 
al  questions  to  be  settled. 

1852.  The  Whig  Convention  assembled  in  Baltimore  and  Webster's 
name  was  presented  for  the  first  place  on  the  ticket.  But  af 
ter  fifty  two  successive  ballots,  the  nomination  was  given  to 
General  Scott,  Webster  being  again  "wounded  in  the  house 
of  his  friends." 

The  same  year,  while  driving  near  his  country  seat  he  was 
thrown  from  his  carriage  and  severely  injured.  He  continued 
however  to  transact  the  business  of  his  Department  until  the 
8th  of  September,  when  he  returned  to  Marshfield,  never 
again  to  see  the  city  where  he  had  given  to  his  country  so 
many  years  of  hard  work. 

On  the  evening  of  October  3rd,  his  brilliant  career  was 
closed  by  the  touch  of  the  death  angel,  and  he  left  a  nation 
in  mourning  over  his  loss. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

For  those  who  wish  to  read  more  extensively  on  the  subject  we 
commend  the  following  works: 

Ticknor's  "Life  of  Webster."    American  Statesman  Series. 
"Life  and  Memories  of  Daniel  Webster."     D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  New 
York. 


JB  30374 


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